Brazil’s federal police confirmed the arrests, stating that the suspects were primarily soldiers with special forces training. However, they did not specify if the soldiers were directly involved in securing the G20 summit. The arrests were part of a broader operation aimed at dismantling a criminal group accused of plotting to prevent Lula’s government from taking office after his victory in the 2022 elections.
The alleged coup plotters had planned to carry out their attack on December 15, 2022, just weeks before Lula’s inauguration. The plot included the murder of key presidential candidates and a Supreme Court justice, with plans to establish a “crisis cabinet” composed of the conspirators. Brazilian media reports suggest the targeted justice was Alexandre de Moraes, who has become a controversial figure due to his investigations into far-right movements and his role in shutting down the social network X.
Authorities revealed that the group, which codenamed their plot “Green and Yellow Dagger” (in reference to Brazil’s flag colors), possessed advanced military knowledge and were preparing to stage a violent coup. They now face charges of conspiracy, attempting to overthrow the government, and being part of a criminal organization.
The arrests come just days after a failed bomb attack on Brazil’s Supreme Court by a suspected far-right extremist, who died in the attempt. This incident is believed to be linked to the broader unrest that followed Lula’s election victory. In January 2023, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed government buildings in Brasilia in an attempt to disrupt the democratic process, drawing comparisons to the January 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol riot.
Investigations continue into the 2023 riots and other plots aimed at blocking Lula’s presidency, with authorities working to uncover the extent of far-right extremism in Brazil.
