Listen To Story Above
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, facing potential trial for allegedly plotting to overthrow current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, expressed grave concerns about his future during a recent interview, stating a prison sentence would signal his life’s conclusion.
At 70 years old, Bolsonaro confronts accusations of orchestrating a conspiracy with numerous collaborators to overturn the narrow 2022 election defeat to Lula. If convicted, he could receive a sentence spanning nearly four decades.
Speaking to Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper, Bolsonaro acknowledged discussing constitutional measures like implementing states of siege and defense during periods of institutional instability, but maintained these conversations never progressed beyond theoretical discussions.
“It’s the end of my life. I’m already 70 years old,” Bolsonaro answered when asked if a possible arrest would mean the end of his political career.
The Brazilian swamp learned with the US swamp that they can't let the No. 1 in the polls run for president
By the way, in Latin America is pretty common prisoners being murdered by other prisoners
Jailed or killed, the way would be paved to Lula win in the 2026 election
— Eduardo Bolsonaro🇧🇷 (@BolsonaroSP) March 4, 2025
“A possible arrest would be completely unjust. Where is my crime? Where did I break something [a law]? Where is the proof of a possible coup? Other than discussing constitutional provisions that haven’t left the realm of words,” he added.
When questioned about following his son Eduardo’s path in seeking U.S. asylum, Bolsonaro firmly rejected the possibility, expressing his commitment to remaining in Brazil and working toward the nation’s betterment.
Addressing separate allegations regarding falsified COVID-19 vaccination records, Bolsonaro defended himself against claims made by his former aide Mauro Cid. The Prosecutor General recently recommended dismissing these charges, citing insufficient evidence.
“I would never make a request like that to anyone, it would demoralize me politically, because I have always been against the vaccine, which to this day is an experiment,” Bolsonaro said in the interview. “To follow the rule, a whistleblower has to be spontaneous, tell the truth and have proof. So much so that Gonet came to the conclusion that there was not the slightest evidence that I had ordered the card to be forged.”
🚨🚨BREAKING:
The Attorney General of Brazil has just filed charges against Jair Bolsonaro and 30 other people, and asks for 38 years in prison.
Arresting opponents is the same method used in Venezuela and in any dictatorship.
Yesterday:
– a poll was released that indicates… pic.twitter.com/E1hvOTAmRG— 🇧🇷Claudia Aker🇧🇷🇺🇸2️⃣2️⃣ (@ClauAker) February 19, 2025
Bolsonaro reflected on how different legal standards were applied in corruption investigations, noting that “if it had been Lava Jato this request to close the case would have annulled everything.”
Meanwhile, President Lula, speaking from Vietnam, strongly criticized his predecessor. He accused Bolsonaro of knowingly committing the alleged offenses and questioned the necessity of an amnesty bill proposed for January 8 riot participants.
During his Japan visit, Lula further pressed Bolsonaro to accept responsibility: “It’s not the man Bolsonaro who is on trial, it’s a coup d’état that is on trial. It is the conduct of this citizen that is being judged,” Lula said. “So, I think that if he is guilty, he has to be satisfied with the punishment, and that goes for all 213 million inhabitants. So, instead of crying, come to reality and know that you committed an act against the sovereignty of the country.”
Bolsonaro, already barred from seeking office until 2030 for allegedly spreading electoral misinformation, faces continued legal challenges. The Supreme Federal Tribunal recently upheld a substantial fine against him for negative campaign content targeting Lula, dismissing his freedom of speech appeal.
