Brazil Arrests Soldiers Linked to Plot to Assassinate President Lula

The arrests reveal a chilling connection between military personnel and alleged attempts to undermine democracy in Brazil.

In a significant development for Brazil’s political landscape, police have arrested five individuals, notably four soldiers and a police officer, suspected of plotting to assassinate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva just weeks before his presidential inauguration. This plot, reportedly aimed at both Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, was set to be executed on December 15, 2022, mere days before Lula took office on January 1, 2023.

Lula’s election in October 2022, which saw him narrowly defeat incumbent Jair Bolsonaro—who has continuously denied the legitimacy of the election—marked a pivotal moment in Brazilian politics. Following Lula’s inauguration, Brazil faced a serious coup attempt on January 8, 2023, when supporters of Bolsonaro stormed vital government buildings, leading to arrests and extensive damage.

Justice Minister Paulo Pimenta commented on the recent arrests, asserting that the planned assassination of Lula and Alckmin was alarmingly close to fruition. He noted that only minor details prevented the execution of the plot. The repercussions of this conspiracy are significant, particularly considering that four of the detained individuals were active military members.

The Brazilian federal police reported that these individuals were involved in high-level military planning for illicit actions between November and December 2022. The group of alleged plotters, described as being associated with a criminal organization, even went so far as to nickname their operation “green and yellow dagger,” reflecting the colors of Brazil’s national flag.

Police investigations revealed an intention not only to assassinate the President-elect and Vice President-elect but also to take extreme measures against members of the Supreme Court in the aftermath of a successful coup. The plotters had purportedly considered using poison as a method to eliminate Lula, signaling both premeditated violence and a severe threat to Brazil's democratic processes.

These arrests, authorized by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, mark the first public acknowledgment of an assassination attempt against Lula, raising serious concerns about the level of militarization and radicalism present in Brazilian society.