Coup Attempt Foiled: Brazilian Police Arrest Five Suspects
The Plot Unfolds
Brazilian police have arrested five individuals suspected of involvement in an alleged coup attempt to kill then president-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his vice-president, Geraldo Alckmin, weeks before they took office. The arrests are the first time in the investigation that federal police have mentioned a plot to kill the elected candidates.
The Suspects
Most of those investigated are military personnel with Special Forces training, according to the police. The suspects are believed to have planned a detailed operational plan called "Green and Yellow Dagger," which was set to be executed on December 15, 2022, aimed at the murder of the elected candidates for president and vice-president.
The Investigation
Federal police officers carried out five arrest warrants on Tuesday, without providing any names, as well as three search and seizure warrants and 15 precautionary measures. These measures included banning suspects from contacting each other and forbidding them from leaving the country. Investigations indicate that the criminal organization used a high level of technical-military knowledge to plan, coordinate, and execute illicit actions in the months of November and December 2022.
The Election and Its Aftermath
Lula won the presidential election in October 2022, defeating the rightist incumbent Jair Bolsonaro, and took office in January 2023. A federal police investigation will conclude that Bolsonaro conspired to engineer the attempted coup after he lost the election, a source with direct knowledge of the investigations told Reuters in October. The probe is expected to be finished this month.
The Brazilian Army’s Involvement
The Brazilian army monitored the federal operation against the coup plotters, which was carried out in the states of Rio de Janeiro, Goias, Amazonas, and the Federal District.
The Suspects’ Plans
The police said that the suspects under investigation had planned for an "Institutional Crisis Management Office" to be installed in order to manage problems arising from the coup. They also planned to seize and kill a Supreme Court justice if they succeeded, police said, without naming the judge.
Conclusion
The foiling of this alleged coup attempt is a significant blow to those who sought to undermine the democratic process in Brazil. The arrests and subsequent investigation have shed light on the extent of the plot and the individuals involved. As the investigation continues, it is essential to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that the democratic institutions of Brazil are protected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who were the suspects arrested in the alleged coup attempt?
A: The identities of the suspects have not been released by the police.
Q: What was the plan of the suspects?
A: The suspects planned to kill then president-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his vice-president, Geraldo Alckmin, and install an "Institutional Crisis Management Office" to manage problems arising from the coup.
Q: Who is expected to be held responsible for the attempted coup?
A: A federal police investigation will conclude that Jair Bolsonaro conspired to engineer the attempted coup after he lost the election.