Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday revealed an alleged attempt to poison him and Vice President Geraldo Alcmin just days before taking office in 2022.
Speaking at an event at the presidential palace, Lula expressed gratitude for surviving the coup. “I have to be very thankful now, even more so because I am alive. The attempt to poison me and Vice President Alkmin did not succeed, we are here,” he said, according to CNN.
The revelations coincide with mounting legal troubles for former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who along with 36 others faces charges for allegedly plotting a coup after Lula’s election victory.
A Brazilian federal police report submitted to the South American country’s highest court accused Bolsonaro of having “full knowledge” of plans to prevent Lula from taking office.
The extensive report, which spanned over a hundred pages, outlined an alleged plan to assassinate Vice President Alchemin and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes using poison and explosives.
Five suspects, including former Bolsonaro adviser and retired general Mario Fernandes, were arrested earlier this week, according to CNN. The group reportedly sought to establish an “institutional crisis management office” to take control of the government.
Bolsonaro responded to the allegations against X, saying he had not yet reviewed the allegations. “We have to see what is in the allegation by the federal police. I will wait for the lawyer. This, apparently, will go to the Attorney General’s office. It is at PGR that the fight begins. I can’t expect anything from a team that uses creativity to condemn me,” he said.
As reported by CNN, Bolsonaro also accused Justice Moraes of leading a biased investigation, claiming that evidence was fabricated and that suspects were detained without proper charges.
Those convicted include Bolsonaro’s former defense minister Walter Braga Netto, former security chief Augusto Helleno and other senior officials. Bolsonaro’s son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, dismissed the allegations against X, commenting, “As disgusting as it is to think about killing someone, it is not a crime.”
The revelations heightened tensions following the January 8 riots, where Bolsonaro supporters stormed government buildings to protest Lula’s presidency.