STF Convicts Filipe Martins, Deepening Brazil’s Power Struggle

Key Points

• Martins gets 21 years and 6 months.
• Congress pushes a sentencing rewrite.
• Land, media, elections, and U.S. ties collide.

The STF’s First Panel sentenced Filipe Martins to 21 years and 6 months in an alleged coup plot. Justice Alexandre de Moraes voted to convict. Martins’ defense called the penalty disproportionate.

U.S. border authorities said they found no entry record for the date cited in claims that Martins traveled to the United States. Moraes noted doubts and kept the travel question separate.

In January 8, 2023 cases, sentences in “nucleus” trials have reached 26 years and 6 months. The court ordered civil damages of R$30 million ($5.6 million).

The same panel also gave 14 years to the man who sat in Moraes’ chair inside the court, and it later formed a majority to acquit a federal police delegate for lack of evidence.

In Congress, the counter-move is a “dosimetry” bill to change how judges stack sentences when multiple crimes stem from one event. Senator Alessandro Vieira voted against it in the Constitution and Justice Committee, calling the rush “estelionato.”

The rapporteur said he may limit the bill’s scope to January 8 cases. Reports also cite pressure for resignations involving Alexandre Ramagem and Eduardo Bolsonaro to avoid another clash.

Courts Tighten Grip as Politics Fragments

Beyond criminal law, the STF is closing on Congress again. It has counted three votes to strike down the “marco temporal” law on Indigenous territories.

Politics is shifting: Aldo Rebelo was announced as a presidential candidate for Democracia Cristã; a Genial/Quaest poll showed Lula leading, with Flávio Bolsonaro performing best among right-leaning names tested; Heloísa Helena returned to the Chamber promising opposition; and Moraes signaled support for mandatory electoral ads on streaming.

A TV flare-up added noise. Singer Zezé Di Camargo apologized to SBT and Silvio Santos’ daughters after a controversy but reportedly lost a R$500,000 ($92,600) show; one daughter published a defense letter, and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro appeared on Ratinho’s program.

Abroad, U.S. Magnitsky sanctions on Moraes were lifted on December 12, 2025 after diplomatic contacts; some outlets alleged a deal linked to Donald Trump.