A cloud of legal troubles looms over the former president, who has recently called for multiple public demonstrations in his defense.
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is facing significant legal challenges that could result in lengthy prison sentences due to allegations linked to a coup attempt currently underway in the country’s Supreme Court. Recently, he attended a rally in Sao Paulo, where he was met with the support of approximately 2,000 attendees.
On Saturday evening, Bolsonaro, who led Brazil from 2019 to 2022, addressed his followers via the AuriVerde Brasil YouTube channel, proclaiming, “Brazil needs all of us. It’s for freedom, for justice.” He invited his supporters to gather on Paulista Avenue the following day, emphasizing the importance of their presence: “This is a call for us to show strength… a massive turnout will embolden us,” he asserted.
In February, the 70-year-old Bolsonaro was charged with multiple counts related to attempts to maintain power and overturn the results of the 2022 elections, which were won by current leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Additionally, 33 of Bolsonaro’s close associates are facing similar charges.
Earlier this month marked Bolsonaro’s first testimony before the Supreme Court, where he denied any involvement in the alleged coup attempt. This comes amidst troubling parallels to the January 6, 2021, insurrection in the United States, as Bolsonaro’s supporters, known as “Bolsonaristas,” had previously attacked government buildings in Brasilia, calling for military intervention against President Lula.
Concerns have escalated, with law enforcement labeling the protests as an uprising aimed at deposing Lula. Bolsonaro maintains that the legal actions against him are politically motivated, designed to thwart his potential run in the 2026 elections.
The Superior Electoral Court ruled last year that due to abuses of power and unfounded claims regarding Brazil’s electronic voting system, Bolsonaro is barred from holding office until 2030.
‘An Abominable Thing’
During his recent Supreme Court testimony, Bolsonaro vehemently rejected the notion of a coup: “There was never any talk of a coup. A coup is an abominable thing,” he stated. “Brazil couldn’t endure an experience like that, and there was never a possibility of a coup during my administration.”
At the time of the insurrection attempts, Bolsonaro was in Florida, USA, and there are accusations suggesting he incited the unrest. Compounding his legal challenges, Brazilian authorities are now calling for separate charges against him for illegal espionage during his presidency.
Experts predict sentencing related to the coup plot allegations could occur later this year, with potential prison terms up to 12 years. While Bolsonaro has initiated several protests throughout his legal battle, both his presence and the number of participants have dwindled notably in recent months; for instance, recent estimates indicated around 45,000 attendees at an April rally, which is nearly four times fewer than the turnout in February.
Notably, Tarcisio de Freitas, the Governor of Sao Paulo and a former Bolsonaro minister, is seen as a strong candidate to represent the conservatives in the upcoming 2026 presidential race.