Brazil's ex-president charged in coup plot, alleged plan to poison current leader
FILE - President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro speaks during an event. (Getty )
RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro has been formally charged with attempting to overturn his 2022 election loss, in what prosecutors allege was a plot to remain in power at any cost—including discussing the poisoning of his successor.
Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet announced Tuesday that Bolsonaro and 33 others were charged with attempting a coup, claiming the former president "agreed" to a scheme that included a plan to poison newly elected President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and assassinate Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, a longtime Bolsonaro critic.
"The members of the criminal organization structured a plan at the presidential palace to attack institutions, aiming to bring down the democratic order," Gonet wrote in a 272-page indictment.
If the charges are accepted by Brazil’s Supreme Court, Bolsonaro could stand trial.
What we know about the alleged coup plot
The backstory:
The charges follow a months-long investigation into Bolsonaro’s efforts to stay in power after losing the 2022 election. Prosecutors say his inner circle discussed ways to overturn the results, including drafting legal cover for a coup and pressuring military leaders to back it.
The alleged plot, called the "Green and Yellow Dagger," also involved discussions of poisoning Lula and assassinating Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Inv
estigators claim the January 2023 riots in Brazil’s capital were part of this broader plan.
Bolsonaro denies wrongdoing
What they're saying:
Bolsonaro, who has been barred from running in Brazil’s 2026 election over election fraud claims, has denied any involvement in a coup plot.
"I have no concerns about the accusations, zero," Bolsonaro told reporters Tuesday. His lawyers dismissed the charges as politically motivated, calling them "empty" and lacking evidence.
His son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, also condemned the indictment, claiming it was meant to serve Lula’s political interests.
What's next:
Brazil’s Supreme Court will review the charges, and if accepted, Bolsonaro will face trial. Legal experts say the court is likely to move forward with the case, though a trial could take months or even years to conclude.
The indictment is the latest in a series of legal troubles for Bolsonaro, who has faced investigations into his actions both during and after his presidency. While he remains popular among conservative voters, these charges could further derail any hopes of a political comeback.