The arrest of former President Jair Bolsonaro by order of Brazil's Supreme Federal Court (STF) marks a new chapter in the institutional crisis shaking the South American giant. The STF issued a warrant for his preventive detention on charges of leading a criminal organization, attempting a coup, and undermining the rule of law. Bolsonaro, who was already under house arrest after being sentenced to 27 years and 3 months for attempting a coup after losing the 2022 elections, was apprehended at his residence in Brasilia. This historic ruling, issued on September 11, 2025, was the first in the country's history to convict a former head of state for plotting to retain power after an election loss. The arrest not only targets Bolsonaro but also shakes the military-political circle that supported him, including high-ranking officers and former ministers. Now, President Lula's government and Brazil's institutions face a critical challenge: how to enforce the sentence while maintaining social calm and avoiding extreme polarization. The key operational issues are his transfer to the prison system, the management of his detention, and whether he can still exert political influence from prison, potentially affecting the 2026 electoral cycle.
