SAO PAULO — President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil remarked on Thursday that former President Jair Bolsonaro appears to be accepting responsibility in a situation surrounding allegations that he schemed to maintain his grip on power after losing the 2022 election. Lula pointed out that Bolsonaro is advocating for an amnesty movement, which suggests an acknowledgment of guilt.
Bolsonaro, alongside allies in Congress, is pursuing a legislative proposal aimed at providing pardons to individuals convicted for their involvement in the insurrection that took place on January 8, 2023. This insurrection saw supporters of the far-right Bolsonaro storm key government buildings in Brasília, reminiscent of the events at the U.S. Capitol. In addition, they are seeking to modify existing laws that currently prohibit convicted felons from running for political office.
“He’s asking for amnesty, which means he’s basically saying, ‘Guys, I’m guilty. I attempted to devise a plan to eliminate Lula, to eliminate (Vice President Geraldo) Alckmin, and to attempt to eliminate (Justice) Alexandre de Moraes,’” Lula stated in a live interview with Radio Tupi.
Earlier this week, Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet formally charged Bolsonaro with orchestrating a complex plan aimed at remaining in power despite his electoral defeat. The charges include accusations of plotting to poison Lula and assassinate Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who has been a significant adversary to Bolsonaro.
Despite these serious allegations, Bolsonaro has vehemently denied any misconduct, characterizing the charges as nonspecific and claiming they stem from an authoritarian regime intent on creating internal conflicts. Additionally, he is currently barred from running in elections until 2030 due to alleged abuse of power during his presidency, which included casting unfounded doubts on Brazil’s electronic voting system.
Lula emphasized that Bolsonaro and his associates should focus on defending themselves in a legal context instead of proactively seeking forgiveness. “I consistently uphold the presumption of innocence — everyone in this country has the right to demonstrate their innocence, and he maintains that right. So prove it,” he asserted.
The Brazilian leader described the allegations against Bolsonaro as “extremely serious,” concluding with a caution that should the claims be substantiated, the only plausible outcome would be incarceration.
