Agência Brasil

Associated Press

Federal police in Brazil on Tuesday arrested four military officers and one police officer in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate Pres. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Dec. 15, 2022 ahead of his inauguration in 2023.

Guardian

Retired Gen. Mário Fernandes, who served as an executive secretary in the administration of former Pres. Jair Bolsonaro, was the highest-ranked officer among those targeted in the arrest warrants.

Reuters

Investigators said there was also a plot to kill Vice Pres. Geraldo Alckmin and a member of the Supreme Court — reportedly Alexandre de Moraes — and install a crisis management office to carry out a coup d'état.

Folha de S.Paulo

Police further said that the plot was discussed online and at the home of the running mate of Bolsonaro in his failed run for reelection in 2022, with poisoning considered as a method for the killings.

New York Times

In response to these developments, Bolsonaro claimed to have no involvement in or knowledge of a plot. His son, Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, posted on X,"think[ing] about killing someone" is "disgusting" but "not a crime."

Brazil's federal police are expected to finish in the coming weeks its months-long investigation into whether the former president sought to orchestrate a coup. Reuters reported last month that new evidence implicated him and his allies.

Associated Press #

Federal police in Brazil arrested on Tuesday four military officers and one police officer in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate Pres. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Dec. 15, 2022, ahead of his inauguration in 2023.

Reuters #

According to investigations, they also planned to kill Vice Pres. Geraldo Alckmin and a member of the Supreme Court — reportedly Alexandre de Moraes — and install a crisis management office to carry out a coup d'état.

Guardian #

Retired Gen. Mário Fernandes, who served as an executive secretary in the administration of former Pres. Jair Bolsonaro, is the highest-ranked officer among those targeted in the arrest warrants.

New York Times #

In response to these developments, Bolsonaro claims to have no involvement in or knowledge of such a plot. His son, Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, posted on X that "think[ing] about killing someone" is "disgusting" but "not a crime."

Brazil's federal police is expected to finish in the coming weeks its months-long investigation into whether the former president sought to orchestrate a coup. Reuters reported last month, citing a source, that new evidence implied him and his allies.

Though plans for a coup failed, accountability isn't only a matter of justice but is crucial for the future of the country's democracy. Given that military personnel and close aides to Bolsonaro were involved in this shocking assassination plot. the significant political influence of the country's military is all the more concerning.

The Brazilian Report

Brazil saw an attempted coup, even if a failed one

It's obvious Lula, a corrupt leftist career politician, has been in collusion with Brazil's heavily politicized top court to punish Bolsonaro and his allies. Right-leaning figures across the nation have been censored, and the legal system is increasingly being used as a weapon against those who dare to side with the opposition.

Wall Street Journal

Wall Street Journal #1115

The Return of Lula and the Judicial Threat to Brazil’s Democracy

There's a 44.1% chance that Pres. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will be reelected as Brazil's president in October 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Metaculus

Metaculus #

Will Lula be reelected in 2026?

*** GETTY *** Buda Mendes/Getty Images

Brazil: Police Arrest Five Officers Over Alleged 2022 Plot to Kill Lula

Politics

Military coups

Brazil

Accountability for the failed coup is a matter of justice and is crucial for the future of the country's democracy. Given that military personnel and close aides to Bolsonaro were involved in this shocking assassination plot, something must also be done about the significant political influence of the country's military.

This is all part of Lula, a corrupt career politician, colluding with Brazil's heavily politicized top court to punish Bolsonaro and his allies. Right-leaning figures across the nation have been censored, and the legal system is increasingly being used as a weapon against those who dare to side with the opposition.

There's a 44.1% chance that Lula will be reelected as Brazil's president in October 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Buda Mendes/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images

Brazil: Five Officers Arrested Over Alleged 2022 Lula Assassination Plot

Videos

Apps

Brazil: Five Officers Arrested Over Alleged 2022 Lula Assassination Plot

Brazil: Police Arrest Five Officers Arrested Over Alleged 2022 PlotLula toAssassination Kill LulaPlot

The Facts

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

Sign up to our daily newsletter