Two years ago, a plot emerged to assassinate Brazil’s Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. The conspirators, using codenames like Brazil, Japan, and Austria, communicated through secure messaging. Their mission was to disrupt democracy by taking out Moraes, who has been a key figure in upholding democratic norms in Brazil.
On December 15, 2022, just before their planned attack, one conspirator questioned whether to go through with it. He was at the scene, waiting near Moraes’s home in Brasília but got the signal to abort from his associates. They abandoned their plan, which had already been dubbed Operation World Cup 2022, as it coincided with tensions following the 2022 presidential election.
Former President Jair Bolsonaro faced trial this week, resulting in a 27-year prison sentence for attempting a coup after losing to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Justice Moraes accused Bolsonaro of overseeing a conspiracy against the newly elected government, aiming to assassinate Lula and his running mate, Geraldo Alckmin.
Moraes revealed that the plotters had plans to use powerful weapons that could penetrate bullet-proof barriers. Lula himself expressed gratitude for being alive after news of a poison plot against him surfaced. Bolsonaro has denied any involvement in assassination plans, calling such allegations “a little story.”
However, the evidence against him appears substantial. It suggests that Bolsonaro knew about the assassination operation. Reports mention a plan, known as Green and Yellow Dagger, which included tactical details like weaponry, collateral damage, and execution chances. A recent court document indicated that sketches of the operation were found printed in the presidential palace, linking it to the higher echelons of military authority.
Brazil has seen numerous coups since becoming a republic in 1889, yet this assassination plot marked a unique case. Historian Lucas Pedretti noted it’s revealing that the plot came to light due to heightened scrutiny and legal proceedings against those involved. He said plans for violence against political figures might have existed before but were rarely prosecuted or made public.
Pedretti emphasized the legacy of Brazil’s military dictatorship from 1964 to 1985. The mindset that justified violence during that era still resonates within some military groups today. The special forces involved in the recent plot, known as the “black cap boys,” reflect a history of using violence to achieve political ends.
As the world watches, Brazil grapples with questions of democracy, loyalty, and the fate of its political future. The recent events underscore the thin line between protection of democratic values and the willingness to resort to violent measures to uphold power. As the nation continues to navigate these turbulent waters, the legacy of its past may shape the path ahead.
For additional insights, you can explore the historical context of Brazil’s military dictatorship, which has lasting impacts on the political climate today source.
