On Sunday, thousands gathered at Copacabana Beach to demonstrate their support for former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently facing allegations of orchestrating a conspiracy to overthrow the government and undermine Brazil’s democratic institutions following his defeat in the 2022 election.
The charges against Bolsonaro, a former army captain, along with several prominent associates, are set to be reviewed by a five-judge panel at Brazil’s Supreme Court on March 25. Should the judges decide to proceed with the trial, Bolsonaro and his co-defendants will face legal proceedings.
Bolsonaro and his legal team have denied any wrongdoing.
“President Bolsonaro has never supported any actions aimed at dismantling the democratic rule of law or the institutions that uphold it,” his defense attorneys stated.
Last month, Prosecutor General Paulo Gonet filed charges against Bolsonaro, a seasoned politician with nearly thirty years of experience in Congress, accusing him of leading a criminal organization intent on undermining the country’s democracy. The alleged conspiracy reportedly included a plan to poison President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who won the 2022 election and succeeded Bolsonaro.
Political scientist Paulo Kramer, who was involved in Bolsonaro’s 2018 presidential campaign, noted that the former president’s current strategy increasingly focuses on rallying direct support from the electorate.
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“We believe the Supreme Court battle is largely lost, as the majority of Justices are against Bolsonaro,” Kramer told Reuters, adding, “Mobilizing the public is a way for him to reaffirm his leadership.”
The Supreme Court has not commented on the matter.
Additionally, Bolsonaro is contesting a ruling from Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court (TSE), which has prohibited him from running for public office until 2030. Despite this restriction, he has consistently indicated his intention to pursue the presidency again in 2026.
“Whenever a politician encounters legal challenges, they often organize public demonstrations,” remarked Thiago de Aragão, CEO of the Washington-based consultancy Arko International, expressing skepticism about the effectiveness of this tactic in influencing court decisions. “No one underestimates Bolsonaro’s influence.”
