Thousands of Brazilians flooded the streets this weekend in massive Independence Day demonstrations, underscoring the deep political divide gripping the country as former President Jair Bolsonaro faces a likely conviction on charges of attempting to overturn the results of the 2022 election.
In cities from São Paulo to Brasília, rival rallies broke out Saturday, with conservative demonstrators draped in Brazilian yellow-green jerseys and American flags demanding an end to what they call a “witch hunt” against Bolsonaro.
Counterprotesters, largely aligned with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s left-leaning government, urged the courts to move forward with a conviction, calling Bolsonaro a threat to democracy.
While both sides staged largely peaceful gatherings, aerial images aired on Brazilian television showed Bolsonaro’s supporters outnumbering left-wing protesters by a wide margin, underscoring the former president’s enduring clout even as he battles mounting legal jeopardy.
Bolsonaro’s allies sharply criticized Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court and electoral authorities, accusing them of orchestrating a politically motivated prosecution aimed at sidelining the right.
“This is not justice; it is persecution,” said Carla Zambelli, a Bolsonaro-aligned lawmaker, in remarks to a crowd in Brasília.
Demonstrators held signs calling Lula a “dictator” and accusing the judiciary of abusing its power.
The charges stem from Bolsonaro’s alleged role in pressuring military and political leaders to reject the results of the October 2022 election, which he narrowly lost to Lula.
Prosecutors say he conspired to cling to power and encouraged supporters to storm government buildings in Brasília on January 8, 2023 — an episode often compared to the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol.
A verdict is expected later this week, with analysts widely predicting a conviction that could bar Bolsonaro from running for office for years and send him to prison, possibly.
Bolsonaro’s plight has drawn international attention, particularly from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly praised his Brazilian ally.
In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump called Bolsonaro a “great patriot” and warned that his conviction would “destroy Brazil’s democracy and economy.”
He also accused Lula of aligning with “Marxists” and “globalists.”
Left-wing demonstrators carried signs reading “Hands off Brazil, Trump,” while some politicians warned that Bolsonaro’s reliance on foreign backing risked further polarizing the nation.
Economic pressures are compounding the political drama.
Last week, the United States announced additional tariffs on Brazilian steel and agricultural exports, citing unfair trade practices and growing concerns over political instability.
The move has rattled markets in São Paulo and sparked fears of an economic downturn at a moment of high uncertainty.
Economists warned that a conviction of Bolsonaro could further deepen Brazil’s crisis.
“The tariffs were already a blow, but political instability magnifies the risk,” said Paulo Sotero, a longtime analyst of Brazilian politics. “If Bolsonaro is convicted, we could see mass unrest that scares off investors and accelerates inflation.”
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