Fri Sep 12 11:35:25 UTC 2025: **Bolsonaro Convicted of Coup Attempt, Sentenced to 27 Years; Trump Condemns “Witch Hunt”**
**Brasilia, Brazil** – Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been found guilty of attempting to overturn the results of the 2022 election and has been sentenced to over 27 years in prison. The landmark ruling by Brazil’s Supreme Court marks the first time a Brazilian leader has been convicted of attempting to stage a coup.
The court found Bolsonaro guilty on all five counts, concluding he plotted to assassinate current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and other officials, and conspired to subvert the election results through an emergency decree and by inciting violent protests.
Bolsonaro, who has consistently denied the charges, has been under house arrest in Brasilia. His legal team plans to appeal the conviction. The verdict has ignited tensions within Brazil, with Bolsonaro’s supporters denouncing the trial as a “witch hunt” and demanding his release, while others rallied in support of the prosecution.
The conviction has also strained relations between Brazil and the United States. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, a close ally of Bolsonaro, has vehemently criticized the trial, calling it a “witch hunt” and reiterating his support for the former Brazilian leader, whom he called “a good man.”
The White House had previously hinted at potential economic or military consequences if Bolsonaro was found guilty. In July, the U.S. imposed a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods, citing the charges against Bolsonaro as politically motivated. The U.S. State Department also sanctioned Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who led the Supreme Court panel, accusing him of suppressing free speech.
President Lula has condemned U.S. interference in the case, asserting Brazil’s sovereignty and independence. Brazil has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization over the U.S. tariffs and is considering legal action in U.S. courts.
The situation is further complicated by U.S. naval deployments in the Caribbean, which Lula has criticized as a source of tension. Experts predict potential for further sanctions or increased tariffs amid soured relations between the two nations.
First Piper 