Accountability and Democracy: A Historic Milestone for Brazil
The conclusion of the trial of Jair Bolsonaro and others involved in the January 8 attacks by the Supreme Federal Court represents an unprecedented and historic milestone by holding directly accountable, for the first time in Brazil, state agents who systematically attacked democracy. The result represents a victory for Brazilian institutions and sends a message to the international stage that the country will not accept impunity for autocratic leaders and their accomplices, who employ disinformation, political violence, and the violation of democratic rules as strategies of power.
As demonstrated by the timeline organized by the Democracy in Check Institute (January 8th.institutodx.org), Jair Bolsonaro and his allies in the state apparatus constructed a narrative of constant attacks on institutions and the fairness of elections—questioning the integrity of the electoral system, spreading lies about electronic voting machines, and fostering distrust of the judiciary and the justices of the higher courts. From there, they provoked outrage and fueled a violent insurgency. This trajectory culminated on January 8, 2023, in the largest coup offensive since the return of democracy, when radicalized mobs, encouraged by current and former public officials, attempted to tear up the Constitution and overturn the legitimate election results.
The ruling represents a historic victory for Brazilian democracy. By confronting the impunity of a former president, military personnel, and public officials who encouraged the escalation of the coup, the Supreme Court reaffirms the country's role as an international benchmark in combating disinformation and authoritarianism. In a global scenario where populist and autocratic leaders still seek to undermine institutions from within, Brazil positions itself as an example of democratic resistance.
However, this achievement is not without its risks. Extremism remains active, reorganized, and adapted, directly targeting the 2026 elections. Among the worrying signs are the articulation of anti-democratic forces to, on the one hand, elect a president who opposes the autonomy of the judiciary and, on the other, achieve a majority in the Senate. In this way, they could control the political agenda to reframe amnesty as "national pacification" and attempt to erase crimes against democracy by coercing Supreme Court Justices under the threat of impeachment. The danger of external interference in public debate, as well as military intervention, albeit to a lesser extent, coupled with the lack of effective regulation of digital platforms, which continue to profit from the viralization of hate messages, lies, and conspiracy theories to fuel coordinated networks, has already demonstrated its capacity for mobilization on January 8, 2023.
Without proper regulation, Brazilian democracy will remain vulnerable to algorithmic manipulation and transnational interference. Without social vigilance and political courage, the 2026 elections could become a new stage for democratic instability, with domestic and international repercussions.
The trial of the crucial core of the coup plotters, led by Jair Bolsonaro, shows that Brazilian democracy is resilient, but also warns that it will only remain standing if there is constant mobilization of society, institutional strengthening, and confrontation of both the internal actors conspiring against the rule of law and the excessive power of digital platforms. Democracy is not self-executing: it requires responsibility, courage, and daily action to be defended. On this September 11, 2025, Brazil made a reckoning with democratic Memory, Truth, and Justice. May the next steps follow in this direction.
