Brazil has entered an unprecedented moment in its democratic history. Former President Jair Bolsonaro is now on trial before the Supreme Federal Court (STF), facing accusations of attempting to overturn the 2022 election and orchestrating a plot to undermine the country’s democratic institutions.
The charges are severe. Bolsonaro and seven allies stand accused of forming a criminal organization, plotting to detain or even assassinate political rivals, and encouraging the January 8, 2023 riots in Brasília that shocked the world. Prosecutors allege that Bolsonaro sought to cling to power after his defeat by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, spreading false claims about Brazil’s electronic voting system while drafting emergency decrees to overturn results.
The trial, which began on September 2, 2025, is being broadcast live and is expected to last until September 12. Security has been heightened across Brasília as justices weigh evidence that could send the former president to prison for up to 43 years. Bolsonaro is already barred from holding office until 2030, but a conviction would further cement his political downfall.
Internationally, the trial has stirred tensions. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, a close ally of Bolsonaro, has condemned the proceedings as a “witch-hunt,” while imposing tariffs on Brazilian goods and sanctions against court officials. Despite such pressures, Brazil’s judiciary has pressed forward, insisting that accountability is essential to safeguard democracy.
The stakes could not be higher. This trial is more than a legal battle—it is a test of Brazil’s ability to defend its institutions against threats from within. A guilty verdict would set a powerful precedent: no leader is above the law, and attempts to undermine the democratic order will face justice.