The latest leader of the largest economy in Latin America to face punishment is former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who was found guilty of planning a coup and sentenced to 27 years in prison.
In contrast to his predecessors, the majority of whom faced corruption charges, he was convicted of attempting to undermine Brazil’s democratic system.
Since democracy returned to Brazil following the military dictatorship that lasted from 1964 to 1985, four other presidents have been impeached, convicted, or imprisoned.
Here is a recap of their cases:
Brazil’s first democratically elected president was forced to resign halfway through his term after Congress launched impeachment proceedings against him for allegedly taking bribes.
The centre-right Collor returned to politics in 2006 as a senator, only to be caught up in the sweeping “Car Wash” graft scandal.
He was sentenced in 2023 to eight years and 10 months in prison for taking bribes in exchange for negotiating contracts between a construction company and a subsidiary of state-run oil company Petrobras.
He was arrested in April this year and is now serving his sentence under house arrest.
