Democratic Accountability or a Witch Hunt? Bolsonaro Convicted for Attempted Coup

On Thursday, September 11, 2025, Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years in prison for attempting to orchestrate a coup and overturn the 2022 presidential election. The conviction has sparked a multitude of reactions within the deeply polarized state, and instigated responses from the United States and the Trump administration. The sentence marks an important milestone in Brazil’s history of pardoning political insurrection, and many regard it as a victory for Brazilian democracy.

AmericasBy Catherine SmithOctober 10, 2025Jair Bolsonaro, Democracy, Brazil, Lula, Alexandre de Moraes, Brasília, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump, Military Coup, Sanctions, Eduardo Bolsonaro, United Nations General Assembly, Autocrats