In a decisive move to uphold Brazil’s democratic integrity, Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet has formally charged former President Jair Bolsonaro and 33 associates with orchestrating a coup d’état to subvert the nation’s constitutional order. The indictment, presented to the Federal Supreme Court (STF) on February 18, 2025, alleges a comprehensive plot that included plans to assassinate President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
The Prosecutor-General’s report details a clandestine operation, ominously named “Green and Yellow Dagger,” purportedly devised within the presidential palace. This scheme aimed to destabilize Brazil’s democratic institutions through a series of illicit actions: disseminating disinformation to erode public trust in the electoral system, drafting decrees to legitimize the coup, coercing military leaders into compliance, and inciting civil unrest to justify authoritarian measures.
Prominent figures implicated alongside Bolsonaro include:
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General Walter Braga Netto: Former Minister of Defense and Bolsonaro’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2022 elections.
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General Augusto Heleno Ribeiro Pereira: Former Minister of the Institutional Security Office.
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Admiral Almir Garnier Santos: Former Commander of the Brazilian Navy.
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Anderson Torres: Former Minister of Justice and Public Security.
The indictment asserts that these individuals, among others, were fully cognizant of the overarching plan and actively engaged in actions designed to foment social instability and precipitate an institutional breakdown.
In response to the charges, Bolsonaro has dismissed the allegations as unfounded, expressing “zero” concern and attributing them to political persecution by what he describes as an “authoritarian regime.”
President Lula, addressing the gravity of the situation, interpreted Bolsonaro’s push for amnesty as a tacit admission of guilt. He emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, stating, “I am sure that if it is proven, there is only one way out: prison.”
This development underscores the resilience of Brazil’s democratic institutions in confronting and addressing attempts to undermine the constitutional order. The STF’s forthcoming decision on whether to proceed with the trial will be pivotal in determining the trajectory of Brazil’s commitment to justice and democratic principles.
From a leftist perspective, this indictment is a reaffirmation of the rule of law and a necessary step to hold accountable those who seek to subvert democratic processes for personal or ideological gain. It reflects a broader struggle against authoritarianism and the defense of democratic institutions that resonate globally.
In the context of Nepal’s political landscape, where the Communist Party has historically played a significant role in shaping the nation’s governance and policies, the Brazilian scenario offers a pertinent case study. It highlights the imperative of vigilance against anti-democratic maneuvers and the importance of a unified front to safeguard the principles of popular sovereignty and constitutionalism. Nepalese communists, who have long championed the cause of the proletariat and democratic centralism, may view Brazil’s proactive legal actions as an exemplar of defending the gains achieved through people’s struggles against reactionary forces.
This situation serves as a reminder of the universal challenges faced by progressive movements in preserving democratic norms and the necessity of robust legal frameworks to deter and address attempts at authoritarian regression.