Brazil’s Ex-Defense Minister arrested in connection to alleged 2022 coup plot

Brazilian authorities arrested General Walter Braga Netto, a former defense minister and key ally of ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, on Saturday for allegedly obstructing investigations into a purported coup attempt to block the inauguration of leftist leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The arrest marks a significant development in Brazil’s probe into alleged anti-democratic activities following the contentious 2022 presidential elections.

The Federal Police announced that individuals suspected of interfering with the investigation had been detained, confirming Braga Netto’s involvement. In late November, a police report recommended the indictment of Bolsonaro and 36 allies, including Braga Netto, for allegedly orchestrating a coup d’état. The report alleges that Bolsonaro and his inner circle sought to undermine the democratic process through a series of clandestine measures.

The comprehensive 884-page document details plans to use fabricated claims of electoral fraud to justify drastic actions, including sidelining the Supreme Court through presidential decrees. The coup strategy, reportedly named "Green and Yellow Dagger," was allegedly devised at Braga Netto’s residence and printed at the Planalto Palace, the presidential office.

Investigators uncovered a draft of the plan at the headquarters of Bolsonaro’s Liberal Party, linking it to Braga Netto’s advisor, Colonel Flavio Botelho Peregrino. The report also alleges that Bolsonaro was fully aware of a plan by elite military operatives to assassinate Lula, his vice president, and a Supreme Court judge, escalating concerns over the severity of the conspiracy.

Attorney General Paulo Gonet is currently reviewing the evidence to determine whether formal charges will be filed against Bolsonaro and his co-conspirators. The police investigation accuses Bolsonaro of active involvement in drafting documents and strategies aimed at retaining power post-election defeat.

Braga Netto, who served as Bolsonaro’s running mate in the 2022 elections, is accused of pressuring military commanders to align with the coup attempt. The police assert that his actions constituted “active participation” in a broader effort to dismantle Brazil’s democratic institutions.

As the nation awaits further developments, the arrests underscore the challenges Brazil faces in safeguarding its democracy. Lula, who assumed office in January 2023, has called for accountability, emphasizing the importance of upholding democratic norms.