Bolsonaro’s rise was fueled by the Petrobras scandal, which exposed widespread corruption in Brazil’s political system. He capitalized on public outrage over the scandal, positioning himself as an anti-corruption hero. However, once in power, he revealed his true authoritarian nature, intent on weakening the democratic checks established after Brazil’s military dictatorship. His attacks on the judiciary were especially disturbing. The Supreme Federal Court (STF) became a frequent target, with Bolsonaro publicly labeling its justices as “enemies of the state.” Much like Trump’s false claims about Dominion Voting Systems, Bolsonaro cast doubt on Brazil’s electronic voting system, undermining trust in the democratic process and laying the groundwork for future authoritarian control.
His populist, anti-immigrant rhetoric further eroded Brazil’s social fabric. While millions fled Venezuela’s crisis, Bolsonaro’s government denied refuge, branding migrants as threats to jobs and culture. His xenophobic rhetoric played on fear, mirroring other right-wing populist movements and damaging Brazil’s reputation as a democratic and welcoming nation.
Perhaps most chilling was Bolsonaro’s relationship with the military. He not only engaged with military leaders but embedded them within his government, consolidating power and eroding civilian control. His admiration for the brutal 5th Brazilian Republic, the military dictatorship from 1964 to 1985, was evident. Bolsonaro glorified its actions, minimizing the torture and disappearances of that era as a “necessary evil.” This nostalgia for military rule, combined with his weakening of democratic institutions, pushed Brazil closer to the brink of military dictatorship.
Bolsonaro’s disdain for environmental protections further demonstrated his recklessness. Under his leadership, deforestation in the Amazon surged by 22% in his first two years, endangering Brazil’s biodiversity and worsening global climate change, showing his utter disregard for the future.
In the end, Bolsonaro’s attempts to dismantle democracy culminated in his failed coup attempt after losing the 2022 election to ex-president, Lula da Silva. His supporters, fuelled by his rhetoric, stormed the capital to overturn the election results. This direct assault on Brazil’s democratic process sought to impose authoritarian rule, with Bolsonaro at the helm, regardless of the will of the people. It was a desperate attempt to cling to power, with strong parallels to Trump’s attempted January 6th insurrection.
It was ultimately Brazil’s judiciary and police forces that stood firm, preventing him from succeeding in his plot. The resilience of these institutions, which Bolsonaro had previously sought to undermine, was fundamental in preventing Brazil from backsliding once again into a repressive dictatorship. Bolsonaro’s despotic intent is unquestionable, having recently been charged in February for plotting an attempted coup, including the planned poisoning of Lula and implementation of martial law. Only through the vigilance of Brazil’s democratic guardians was the nation’s future preserved from the brink of authoritarian collapse.
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