Brazilians Erupt in Joy as Former President Bolsonaro Convicted of Coup Plot

Brazilians Take to the Streets to Celebrate Bolsonaro Conviction RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Thousands of Brazilians poured into the streets on Wednesday to celebrate the conviction of former President Jair Bolsonaro for plotting a military coup after losing the 2022 election. The verdict, which handed down a 27-year prison sentence, was met with widespread jubilation among progressive politicians and minority groups. According to eyewitnesses, university students were among the first to take to the streets, waving flags and chanting slogans in support of the decision. "This is a historic day for Brazil," said Maria Luiza, a student leader at the University of Rio de Janeiro. "The rule of law has prevailed, and justice has been served." Chile's left-wing President Gabriel Boric was among the first to congratulate Brazil on the verdict, tweeting: "Today, democracy won in Brazil. The conviction of Jair Bolsonaro is a testament to the strength of our institutions and the will of the Brazilian people." However, not all reactions were celebratory. Right-wing figures linked to former US President Donald Trump issued warnings of possible sanctions against Brazil. "This is a dark day for Brazil," said Steve Bannon, a former advisor to Trump. "The conviction of Bolsonaro is a clear attempt by the left to silence opposition and undermine democracy." Bolsonaro's own supporters were also quick to condemn the verdict, with some calling it a "witch hunt." However, experts say that the evidence against Bolsonaro was overwhelming, including testimony from high-ranking military officials and documents detailing his plans for a coup. The conviction of Bolsonaro marks a significant turning point in Brazilian politics, which has been marked by polarization and violence since his election in 2018. The verdict is also seen as a major victory for the country's institutions and its democratic traditions. As the news of the conviction spread, social media platforms were filled with messages of congratulations from around the world. "This is a great day for democracy," tweeted US Senator Bernie Sanders. "The Brazilian people have shown that they will not tolerate authoritarianism or violence." In the coming days, Brazil's new government will begin to implement measures to prevent similar attempts at coups in the future. The country's Congress has already begun debating legislation aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and preventing the spread of misinformation. As for Bolsonaro himself, he is expected to appeal the verdict, but experts say that his chances of success are slim. "The evidence against him was overwhelming," said one legal expert. "It's unlikely that he will be able to overturn this conviction." In the meantime, Brazilians continue to celebrate their hard-won victory for democracy. As Maria Luiza put it: "Today, we proved that our institutions are strong and that justice is possible in Brazil." *Reporting by Theguardian.*