'It cost me many friendships': former Brazil military chief reveals inside struggle to stop Bolsonaro’s coup
Carlos de Almeida Baptista Júnior describes 2022 meeting in new book as ex-leader’s son vies with Lula for presidency
TL;DR
- Former Brazilian air force chief Carlos de Almeida Baptista Júnior details a draft coup decree he refused to accept.
- The refusal by Baptista Júnior and the army commander was key to preventing Jair Bolsonaro from staying in power after losing the 2022 election.
- Baptista Júnior's new book, 'I Said No! – An Anti-Coup Bulwark', aims to educate the public and prevent future coup attempts.
- Despite his actions, Baptista Júnior faces criticism and has lost friendships, with some still calling him a traitor.
- The book highlights Bolsonaro's "significant limitations" and resistance to outside information, including his denial of election results and doubts about Covid-19 vaccine science.
- A plan to kidnap or assassinate Lula and a supreme court justice, revealed during the coup investigation, is mentioned but not detailed in the book.
- Expert Juliano da Silva Cortinhas believes the risk of a new coup is greater today, influenced by international political factors.
- Cortinhas suggests that high-ranking officers should have reported the coup attempt to the police immediately.
- Baptista Júnior confirmed that active-duty military personnel who believe a coup could be justified still exist.
- The book is scheduled for release shortly before the upcoming presidential election where Bolsonaro's son, Flávio Bolsonaro, will run against Lula.