Plot to Kill Lula, Alckmin, and Justice Moraes Traced to Top General

In July 2025, official court records revealed that General Mário Fernandes—once a senior figure in former president Jair Bolsonaro’s government—admitted to writing a plan.

The plan called for the kidnapping and murder of Brazil’s President-elect Lula da Silva, Vice President-elect Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.

He said he created and printed the document—known as “Punhal Verde e Amarelo”—inside the presidential palace after Lula’s election win in late 2022. Fernandes claimed that this was only his “risk analysis,” not something he meant to share, and he said he shredded the printout.

Police reports say the plan detailed the use of weapons and even poison, aiming to hand control of Brazil to senior military leaders until new elections could take place.

The Federal Police found references to military rifles, grenades, and coordinated logistics. They also traced meetings and communications between some close to Bolsonaro and military or police officers.

Fernandes’s testimony was part of a broader case investigating if this document was part of an organized plan intended to overturn Brazil’s election results.

Court documents showed the plan used code names for the targets and described steps to create a new order run by the military, bypassing the elected government.

Uncovered Plot in Brazil Sparks Fears Over Political Stability

Investigators stressed that no official evidence emerged that the plan advanced beyond the document stage but noted how seriously the authorities took the risk, given the high-level government involvement and use of government resources.

The exposure of this plot within Brazil’s political core rattled investors and business leaders, raising concerns about the safety of democratic processes in Latin America’s largest economy.

International analysts warned that instability at the highest levels could threaten the rule of law and long-term investor confidence.

This event stands as a warning: when security officials inside the government cross the line between duty and power play, business stability and democracy itself can both be put in danger.

All data and statements here are based solely on official court transcripts, police reports, and government records.

This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error