In a landmark ruling that has sent shockwaves through Brazil and beyond, former President Jair Bolsonaro has been sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison for orchestrating a military coup to retain power after his 2022 election defeat. The verdict, delivered by a panel of five Supreme Court justices, marks a pivotal moment in Brazil’s democratic history. Four justices found Bolsonaro guilty of leading a conspiracy to undermine the electoral process, while one dissented, calling the charges unfounded. Bolsonaro’s legal team has denounced the sentence as “absurdly excessive” and vowed to appeal, though legal experts suggest the odds are slim. The court also barred Bolsonaro from holding public office until 2060, effectively ending his political career. Bolsonaro, who was placed under house arrest prior to the trial, did not attend the proceedings but has repeatedly dismissed the case as a politically motivated “witch hunt.” His claims have found resonance with former U.S. President Donald Trump, who likened the trial to his own legal battles, calling the verdict “very surprising.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the ruling as unjust, prompting a swift rebuke from Brazil’s foreign ministry, which defended the independence of its judiciary. The trial revealed chilling details of Bolsonaro’s alleged plot, including attempts to assassinate his political rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and a Supreme Court justice. While the coup attempt ultimately failed, it culminated in the storming of government buildings by Bolsonaro’s supporters in January 2023, a stark reminder of the fragility of Brazil’s democracy. Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who presided over the trial, warned that Brazil had narrowly avoided a return to authoritarianism, drawing parallels to the country’s 20-year military dictatorship. The case has reignited debates about the resilience of democratic institutions in the face of rising authoritarianism, with Justice Cármen Lúcia likening the coup plot to a “virus” that threatens societal stability. As Bolsonaro faces the prospect of spending the rest of his life in prison, the ruling underscores the enduring struggle to safeguard democracy in Brazil and beyond.