Demonstrations in Brazil Demand Amnesty for Bolsonaro Amid Pending Trial
On Sunday, various cities in Brazil witnessed significant demonstrations in support of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Protesters called for amnesty for Bolsonaro, who is currently facing charges related to an attempted coup following the January 8, 2023, assault on government institutions in Brasilia. Specifically, Bolsonaro is accused of conspiring to prevent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from taking office after the 2022 presidential elections. Supporters view the trial as a “political persecution,” riporta Attuale.
Bolsonaro faces a maximum sentence of 43 years in prison and will be judged by the Brazilian Supreme Court, with a verdict expected by Friday. There is widespread belief in Brazil that he will be convicted.
The largest gatherings occurred in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Demonstrators waved Brazilian flags, donned the national soccer team’s yellow-green jerseys—now a symbol of the right-wing movement—and displayed numerous American flags. A recurring theme among the slogans, banners, and placards was gratitude to Donald Trump, alongside appeals for the U.S. president to “resolve the issue.”
The question of amnesty holds deep significance in Brazil. It was granted to military leaders after the end of the dictatorship from 1964 to 1985, resulting in many not being held accountable for their crimes. During the military regime, numerous Brazilians were arrested, tortured, or disappeared.
Bolsonaro and his family maintain a close ideological and personal relationship with Trump, who recently imposed significant tariffs (up to 50 percent) on various Brazilian imports as a form of retaliation for the ongoing trial against Bolsonaro. Many demonstrators are urging Trump to continue applying pressure on Lula’s leftist government.
Both Bolsonaro and Trump have demonstrated a notable resistance to accepting electoral losses, accusing political opponents of fraud and claiming they are victims of political persecution. Bolsonaro has already been declared ineligible until 2030 and, therefore, cannot participate in the 2026 presidential elections.
The U.S. administration has also imposed personal sanctions against Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes, presiding over Bolsonaro’s trial. De Moraes, known for overseeing various significant trials in recent years, has been a contentious figure, often clashing with high-profile individuals including Elon Musk, and is perceived as a primary adversary by Bolsonaro’s supporters.
Michelle Bolsonaro, the former president’s wife, attended the São Paulo protest, making numerous religious references, indicative of the strong evangelical influence within Brazil’s right-wing movement. Also present was São Paulo Governor Tarcisio de Freitas, currently viewed as the leading figure of bolsonarism and a potential candidate for the upcoming presidential elections.
Simultaneously, opposite demonstrations were held by leftist groups and unions, protesting against U.S. interference in the trial process, although these events attracted fewer participants.
Ma scusate, ma a chi interessa davvero tutto questo caos in Brasile? Sembra un film di serie B! Da noi abbiamo già visto che con le manifestazioni non si va da nessuna parte. Eppure continuano a sventolare le bandiere americane… Mah, che tristezza!