SAO PAULO — On Wednesday, Brazilian officials convened in the capital, Brasilia, to commemorate the second anniversary of an attempted coup involving supporters of former far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro. The ceremony took place at the presidential palace, a site that witnessed vandalism from Bolsonaro’s supporters in 2023 during their efforts to initiate a military coup against current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
In attendance were President Lula, his Cabinet members, military officials, four allied state governors, and four justices from the Supreme Court. Notably, Alexandre de Moraes, who leads the investigations regarding the coup attempt, was present. Lula addressed the gathering by affirming the resilience of democracy in Brazil, echoing sentiments from the acclaimed film “I’m Still Here,” which reflects on the country’s tumultuous period under dictatorship. “Today we declare that we remain vigilant and alive, standing against the intentions of the January 8 coup plotters,” he stated.
The events of January 8, 2023, involved thousands of pro-Bolsonaro protesters who breached security measures at key government buildings, including the presidential palace and Congress. Their actions resulted in significant damage, including vandalism of artworks and historic items, as they demanded military intervention to overthrow Lula’s administration.
Authorities have been working with Swiss partners to restore the damaged art pieces, which are now set to be displayed for the public once more. While Lula had extended invitations to the president of the Senate and the speaker of the lower house for the ceremony, they both declined to attend.
In addition, the Brazilian Supreme Court is organizing discussions to engage staff members who experienced the court’s vandalism and those involved in restoration efforts. Plans for a dedicated remembrance website and an art exhibition featuring creations made from debris from the chaotic events were also announced.
The commemoration is occurring concurrently with numerous legal challenges faced by Bolsonaro following his narrow defeat in the 2022 elections, in which he has continually questioned the election’s integrity and refused to concede. Federal authorities have formally charged Bolsonaro along with 36 individuals, some of whom are senior military officials, with a coup attempt. This charge is currently sealed, but investigations are ongoing regarding his role in inciting the January 8 violence.
Bolsonaro, who has expressed admiration for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, has drawn parallels between the riots in Brasilia and the January 2021 Capitol insurrection in the United States. Legal analysts believe he may be charged and could face trial in mid-2025 over allegations related to falsifying COVID-19 vaccination records. Additionally, he might be tried before 2026 for alleged embezzlement of jewelry given to him by Saudi officials.
Brazil’s electoral court has already banned Bolsonaro from holding office until 2030, ruling that he misused his position and unjustly cast doubts on the reliability of Brazil’s electronic voting system. His supporters have particularly directed their frustrations at the Supreme Court, focusing on Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversees several investigations involving them. Moraes had previously cautioned that any commemoration of the January 8 events would be prosecutable.
A report released by the Supreme Court on Tuesday indicated that 898 individuals have been held accountable for their involvement in the January 8 insurrection, with 371 facing convictions and others reaching plea agreements. It also noted there are ongoing investigations into an additional 485 cases.
In his speech on Wednesday, Lula reassured the public, stating, “No one has been or will be unjustly imprisoned. All will face appropriate consequences for their actions.” He emphasized that defendants would have their rights protected during the legal process, including their right to defense and the presumption of innocence.
