Brazil’s Prosecutor-General Charges Jair Bolsonaro With Coup Attempt, Alleged Plot to Poison Lula
Former President Jair Bolsonaro faces formal charges for attempting to stay in power after his 2022 election loss.
Brazil’s Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet on Tuesday formally charged former President Jair Bolsonaro and 33 others with attempting a coup to remain in office after his 2022 election defeat. The indictment alleges a conspiracy that included plans to poison his successor, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and assassinate Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
Prosecutor Details “Green and Yellow Dagger” Plot
In a 272-page indictment, Gonet described a criminal scheme orchestrated within the presidential palace, aimed at destabilizing Brazil’s democratic institutions.
“The members of the criminal organization structured a plan at the presidential palace to attack institutions, aiming to bring down the system of the powers and the democratic order, which received the sinister name of ‘Green and Yellow Dagger,’” Gonet wrote. “The plan was conceived and taken to the knowledge of the president, and he agreed to it.”
The colors green and yellow, frequently associated with Bolsonaro’s movement, are a reference to Brazil’s national soccer jersey, often worn by his supporters.
Bolsonaro’s Defense Calls Charges Baseless
Bolsonaro’s legal team denounced the indictment, stating that the former president “has never agreed to any movement aimed at deconstructing the democratic rule of law or the institutions that underpin it.”
His son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, dismissed the charges as politically motivated, claiming on social media that the case was “empty” and part of an effort to serve “the nefarious interests of Lula.”
Brazil’s Federal Police Report: A Systematic Plan to Undermine Democracy
In November 2023, Brazil’s Federal Police submitted an extensive 884-page report detailing what it called a systematic effort to undermine the electoral process. The report accuses Bolsonaro’s inner circle of:
- Spreading distrust in the country’s electronic voting system.
- Drafting a decree to legally justify overturning the election results.
- Pressuring top military officials to support the plan.
- Inciting riots in the capital to destabilize the government.
According to Gonet, the coup attempt was “contrary to the result of the popular will at the polls.”
Supreme Court to Decide on Bolsonaro’s Trial
The Supreme Court will review the charges, and if accepted, Bolsonaro will stand trial. The far-right leader denies any wrongdoing.
“I have no concerns about the accusations—zero,” Bolsonaro told reporters during a visit to the Senate in Brasília on Tuesday. “Have you seen the coup decree, by any chance? You haven’t. Neither have I.”
Potential Prison Sentence for Bolsonaro
The indictment charges Bolsonaro and 33 co-defendants with multiple serious crimes, including:
- Attempted coup d’état
- Participation in an armed criminal organization
- Violent attempt to abolish democratic rule
- Damage to state assets and heritage
Under Brazil’s criminal code, Bolsonaro could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted on the most serious charges.
Gonet’s report names Bolsonaro and his former running mate, General Braga Netto, as leaders of the criminal organization, alleging that both “accepted, stimulated, and performed acts” that directly attacked Brazil’s democratic institutions.
A “Historic” Indictment
Legal experts say the charges are unprecedented in Brazil’s history.
“The charges show Brazil’s institutions are robust, independent, and agile,” said Luis Henrique Machado, a criminal attorney and professor at IDP University in Brasília. “They are a role model for other countries where democracy is at risk.”
Bolsonaro Already Barred From 2026 Election
Bolsonaro is already barred from running in the 2026 election after Brazil’s top electoral court ruled that he abused his power and spread false claims about the voting system.
However, political analysts warn that Bolsonaro will use the indictment to rally his base.
“Following Tuesday’s charges, Bolsonaro will position himself as a victim,” said Carlos Melo, a political science professor at Insper University in São Paulo.
Bolsonaro has long claimed that his legal troubles are an attempt to prevent him from returning to power.
“There are polls saying he would be competitive in the 2026 elections against Lula, one of them published today,” Melo noted. “There’s going to be political dust, but it will settle.”
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