The Latin American Report # 596
Brazil's Supreme Court forms majority to convict Bolsonaro for coup attempt
In a developing breaking news story, the First Chamber of Brazil's Supreme Court has formed a majority to convict former President Jair Bolsonaro for an alleged attempt to derail the return to the Planalto Palace of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who defeated him in a tight but fair election in 2022. Judge Cármen Lúcia Antunes stated that there is "conclusive evidence" that the far-right leader sought to "undermine the free exercise" of democratic powers in the South American giant through a "criminal organization" under his supervision. This "criminal organization" refers to a group of officials and high-ranking military officers from his administration.
With one judge still pending to cast his vote—now largely irrelevant—, the next key step is awaiting the sentencing in the case, whose rapporteur is the controversial judge Alexandre de Moraes, who has positioned himself as a staunch defender of democratic institutions. Eventually, the legal battle—which Trump placed at the center of bilateral relations in favor of Bolsonaro—will be assessed by the full Supreme Court.
BREAKING 👇
Breaking news: Right-wing former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro was found guilty of attempting a military coup to reverse his 2022 election loss in a plot that included plans to assassinate the man who defeated him. https://t.co/qsC1XolneL
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) September 11, 2025
Argentina
Despite experiencing his worst political moment, Javier Milei is not backing down one millimeter from his policy of cuts and fiscal deficit monitoring. The Argentine leader has vetoed legislation that would have benefited the country's public universities—a symbol for much of the citizenry, including segments of the middle class. The rectors of these university institutions have warned that all are in a "critical state" and called for a national strike in rejection of the executive action.
"The operation of public universities as we know them is at risk if we do not have a public funding law and a 2026 budget," said Oscar Alpa, rector of the National University of La Pampa and vice president of the National Interuniversity Council. Milei, who has already lost influence in Congress due to his controversial political management, will try to defend his veto next week, when further protests are scheduled.
SourceIn a similar battle, workers at the Garrahan Hospital, Argentina's main pediatric health center, are also going on strike after the head of the Pink House vetoed legislation declaring a public emergency in pediatric care.
Regional news brief
Many Cubans were still without electricity, following the latest nationwide blackout reported on Wednesday morning. The "unexpected" shutdown of a critical thermoelectric plant caused a total disconnection of the national power grid, which was resynchronized early this afternoon. However, the normality people are returning to is not one of continuous service, but one of persistent blackouts due to the chronic deficit in generation capacity to meet energy demand.
SourceVia X
We continue to monitor Trump's immigration policy 👇
A federal judge in Arizona temporarily blocked the Trump administration from removing dozens of Guatemalan and Honduran children living in shelters or foster care after coming to the U.S. alone until at least Sept. 26. https://t.co/PMsdetNZkS
— Priscilla Alvarez (@priscialva) September 11, 2025
A concerning development in Dominican Republican 👇
Dominican activists decry surge in extrajudicial killings after police fatally shoot 5 suspects https://t.co/ZkAJnwgj4J
— Dánica Coto (@danicacoto) September 11, 2025
This is all for today’s report.
I find your optimism delightful, but given the media propaganda I am availed, I cannot corroborate your description of Lula's electoral victory. While I make no claim to being particularly well informed regarding the aftermath of that election, I do recall Bolsonaro restraining massive crowds of supporters from taking any direct actions to oppose that result. Because of that I find the accusation he sought to overthrow the government that claimed electoral victory highly unlikely, and his conviction likely politically motivated. I am astounded that the Brazilian justices have volunteered to be sanctioned under the Magnitsky Act by President Trump, and daren't even guess as to the emoluments that might induce them to invite that trouble.
I am also baffled by this characterization of Moraes, whom has done everything in his power to censor Brazilian media and it's people, which is utterly antidemocratic. Certainly the court itself isn't a democratic institution, as it's justices are appointed, IIRC.
I sincerely hope you and yours are improving the conditions you meet with regarding electrical power. I have confidence that you are better at rising above such challenges than am I, of your familiarity with the matter. While I have lived for months at a time without 'shore power', living in the woods, I had the benefit of communities and infrastructure constantly availed power that I could turn to when I needed to.
Thanks!
Hello my friend. Regarding my first claim, I think there is broad consensus on it, or at least little reasoned opposition to it. There was a hard-fought election, but one that Lula won “fair and square,” that is, by a narrow margin but still a valid one to declare his victory. What you say does not go against this claim, but rather against the idea that Bolsonaro incited the unrest against Brazil’s democratic institutions. Personally, I believe that since he did not accept his defeat, he at least indirectly contributed to creating the conditions for what happened. If Bolsonaro had conceded, I don’t think his loyal supporters would have unleashed their irrationality in the Praça dos Três Poderes. As for the second claim you mention, I only meant how De Moraes presents himself, or how he projects himself to the world, without validating that those are in fact his deepest and truest intentions.
Thanks always for your sound feedback here.
I didn't go into detail, because I don't trust my sources (nor do I remember specific claims, years later), but there was broad consensus hereabouts that the election was fraudulent. That's why I referred to 'the propaganda I am availed'.
As to the second matter, I do understand your meaning now.