Key Highlights
Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s former president, began serving a 27-year prison sentence in November 2025 for orchestrating a failed coup attempt after losing the 2022 election. The Supreme Court found Bolsonaro guilty of conspiracy, planning to assassinate President Lula da Silva and other top officials, and undermining Brazil’s democracy. Bolsonaro, once a defiant populist, now faces deteriorating health and a restricted life behind bars, while his legacy remains deeply divisive in Brazilian society.
Opening Overview
Jair Bolsonaro’s dramatic fall from power has marked a pivotal moment in Brazilian politics. Once a firebrand who electrified conservative voters and reshaped national discourse, Bolsonaro now sits behind bars after being convicted for plotting a coup to prevent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from assuming the presidency following the 2022 election. The Supreme Court’s final ruling in September 2025 concluded a years-long legal battle, making Bolsonaro’s 27-year sentence definitive. As the nation watches this controversial figure begin his incarceration, questions linger about the impact of his legacy and the future of Brazil’s democracy. Bolsonaro’s story is a cautionary tale of power, defiance, and the fragility of democratic institutions in the face of populist ambition.
The Coup Plot and Legal Fallout
Jair Bolsonaro’s conviction stemmed from a wide-ranging conspiracy uncovered after his narrow defeat in the 2022 presidential election. Brazilian authorities found evidence that Bolsonaro and several allies plotted to overturn the election results by orchestrating an armed insurrection, including plans to assassinate President-elect Lula da Silva, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. The scheme, known as the “Green and Yellow Dagger Plan,” was exposed during Operation Tempus Veritatis and Operation Counterattack, leading to the arrest of Bolsonaro and 36 others. The Supreme Court concluded that the plot failed due to insufficient support from top military officials.
Jair Bolsonaro’s legal team challenged the verdict, but all appeals were exhausted by November 2025. The court’s final decision barred him from running for public office until 2060, eight years after his sentence ends. Bolsonaro continues to claim innocence, calling the trial a “witch hunt” and alleging political persecution. His lawyers argue that his health, already compromised by multiple surgeries following a 2018 stabbing, makes prison life a risk. Despite these claims, the Supreme Court has ruled that he must serve his sentence at the Federal Police headquarters in Brasília, where he will have limited contact with other inmates but access to medical care and legal representation.
Jair Bolsonaro is today a political prisoner in Brazil, without having committed any crime, he is prevented from leaving Brazil and is suffering political persecution and judicial activism, taking away from us Brazilians the opportunity to choose our representative. pic.twitter.com/OniBwhKPiT
— Acreano🇧🇷🇮🇱 (@Andrezinho_DZ) January 16, 2025
Bolsonaro’s Political Legacy
Jair Bolsonaro’s rise to power in 2019 reflected a wave of anti-establishment sentiment following years of corruption scandals that tarnished Brazil’s political elite. Bolsonaro, a former army captain, positioned himself as a law-and-order advocate, appealing to evangelical Christians, agribusiness leaders, and security hardliners—often described as the “Bibles, bullets and beef” electorate. His fiery rhetoric, support for military rule, and controversial statements about homosexuality and women earned him both fervent support and fierce criticism.
During his presidency, Bolsonaro weakened environmental protections, leading to a sharp increase in Amazon deforestation. According to reports, deforestation in Brazil grew by 22.3% in 2022, totaling 2.05 million hectares lost. His administration also faced global condemnation for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Brazil recorded over 685,000 COVID-19 deaths by the end of 2022, with Jair Bolsonaro’s policies contributing to low vaccination rates and high mortality.
Health and Prison Conditions
Jair Bolsonaro’s health has been a major concern since his 2018 stabbing, which led to multiple surgeries and chronic complications. In April 2025, he underwent a 12-hour procedure to address intestinal adhesions and reconstruct his abdominal wall, marking his sixth major surgery since the attack. Medical professionals have described his recovery as “very careful and extended,” with ongoing issues including elevated blood pressure and liver function tests. Bolsonaro’s lawyers argue that prison conditions pose a risk to his life, but the Supreme Court has maintained that his special cell at the Federal Police headquarters meets all necessary standards.
Jair Bolsonaro’s cell is a 12-square-meter room equipped with a bed, private bathroom, air conditioning, TV, and a desk. He is allowed unrestricted access to his medical team and attorneys, though visits from family and supporters require Supreme Court approval. Bolsonaro’s attempts to tamper with his ankle monitor while under house arrest—claiming medication-induced paranoia—led to his pre-emptive arrest days before the sentence began. Despite his claims, the court dismissed his arguments and affirmed the necessity of incarceration.
Impact on Brazilian Democracy
Jair Bolsonaro’s imprisonment marks a significant moment for Brazilian democracy, underscoring the judiciary’s role in safeguarding constitutional order. The failed coup attempt and subsequent trial have highlighted the dangers of populist leaders undermining electoral legitimacy and democratic institutions. Bolsonaro’s actions, including repeated claims of election fraud and efforts to rally military support, echo global trends of democratic backsliding.
The aftermath of Bolsonaro’s presidency has seen a resurgence in environmental protections and public health initiatives under President Lula da Silva. Deforestation rates in the Amazon dropped by 30.6% in 2023, while vaccination campaigns have helped reduce the impact of COVID-19. Bolsonaro’s legacy, however, remains polarizing. His supporters continue to rally for his release, while critics view his imprisonment as a necessary step to protect Brazil’s democracy.
Closing Assessment
Jair Bolsonaro’s fall from power is a stark reminder of the volatility of populist politics and the resilience required to defend democratic norms. As Bolsonaro begins serving his 27-year sentence, Brazil faces the challenge of reconciling deep political divisions and rebuilding trust in its institutions. The story of Bolsonaro’s rise and fall is not just about one man’s fate, but about the broader struggle to uphold the rule of law in an era of increasing political polarization. Bolsonaro’s legacy will continue to shape Brazil’s political landscape for years to come.
