São Paulo (EFE).- Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who faces a possible 40-year prison sentence for allegedly plotting a coup, called for “justice” and national “pacification” on Sunday during a protest in São Paulo that drew significantly fewer supporters than earlier demonstrations.
Speaking to a crowd of roughly 12,400 people on Avenida Paulista, far below the 185,000 who attended a similar rally in February, Bolsonaro denied orchestrating a coup and accused Brazil’s Supreme Court of wanting to “eliminate” him.
“If this were a coup attempt, you wouldn’t be here today,” he told the crowd. “What we want is justice, pacification, and the well-being of our country.”
The retired army captain reiterated his call for amnesty for those convicted in connection with the Jan. 8, 2023, riots during which thousands of his supporters stormed the presidential palace, Congress, and Supreme Court. “Pacification passes through amnesty,” he said.
Bolsonaro claimed the riots were “organized by the left” and accused Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s government of withholding surveillance footage.
“They didn’t seize a single weapon that day. What kind of coup is that, elderly people, women carrying flags and Bibles?” he said. “A coup is carried out with the Armed Forces and weapons.”
Trial nears verdict, political future at risk
Bolsonaro is on trial before Brazil’s Supreme Court, accused of leading a conspiracy to prevent Lula’s inauguration after losing the 2022 election.
The court has given prosecutors two weeks to submit final arguments, and a verdict is expected in September.
If found guilty, he could face up to 40 years in prison charges including conspiracy and attempting to undermine democracy.
The former president is also politically ineligible until 2030 following an electoral court ruling last year.
Yet he has refused to name a political successor and continues to rally his shrinking base around hope for a possible amnesty.
Despite his disqualification, Bolsonaro emphasized he will remain active in politics.
“If the elections give me 50% of the Chamber and Senate, I can change the future of Brazil without being president,” he said. “With that majority, Congress will have more power than the president.”
His speech hinted at legislative strategies to bypass the judiciary and executive, including approving amnesty, removing Supreme Court justices, and blocking government proposals.
Diminishing political backing
Support for Bolsonaro appears to be fading not only in the streets but also among allies.
Only four governors joined Sunday’s rally, compared to eight in April.
The turnout at his events continues to decline, from 185,000 in February, to 44,900 in April, and just 12,400 this weekend, according to a crowd-monitoring tool developed by the University of São Paulo.
As at previous rallies, demonstrators wore Brazil’s green and yellow, waved Israeli and United States flags, and chanted slogans in support of Donald Trump and Israel’s offensive in Gaza and against Iran.
Still, Bolsonaro remains confident.
Recent polls show him tied with Lula in a hypothetical second-round matchup, fueling speculation that a potential political resurrection could follow if courts or Congress approve an amnesty.
But for now, Bolsonaro stands disqualified, indicted, and increasingly isolated. EFE
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