Brazil's Former President Jair Bolsonaro Charged in Coup Attempt

Brazilian authorities have launched an investigation into Mayor José Aprígio da Silva of Taboão da Serra for allegedly staging a fake assassination attempt to boost his re-election campaign. Police reports indicate that the October incident, where Silva sustained a gunshot wound from an AK-47, was orchestrated by the mayor’s supporters, meant to generate public sympathy and sway voters ahead of local elections. According to police, the alleged conspirators paid nearly 500,000 reais (approximately $100,000) to hire fake hitmen for the plot. Despite initial widespread outrage and condemnation from high-profile politicians, including President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, investigators now believe that the supposed attack was a ruse. Evidence suggests that the mayor's armored vehicle lacked adequate ballistic protection to stop assault rifle rounds, potentially leading to his unintended injury. Silva's lawyers have denied any involvement in this scheme, asserting that he was a genuine victim of violence. Following the revelation, Silva lost the election to rival Daniel Plana Bogalho, who expressed relief that the truth had surfaced.

A young man from an isolated Indigenous tribe in Brazil's Amazon made a brief appearance in the community of Bela Rosa on February 12, 2025, before returning to his tribe less than 24 hours later. According to Brazilian authorities, the man encountered locals while reportedly asking for fire. Video footage showed him in good health, wearing a simple loincloth and carrying logs. Officials from Brazil's Indigenous affairs agency, Funai, responded promptly and took him to a nearby facility for evaluation. After assessing his health, Funai confirmed he returned to his tribe the following afternoon, emphasizing the need for monitoring the isolated community to prevent potential disease exposure. Funai has established protected areas, such as Mamoriá Grande, where interactions with isolated tribes are carefully managed. Brazil generally discourages contact with these groups as a policy but maintains surveillance to ensure their safety and well-being, striking a balance between protection and preservation of cultural autonomy.

A young man from an isolated Indigenous tribe in Brazil's Amazon voluntarily returned to his community less than 24 hours after approaching a riverine village. The encounter occurred on the evening of February 12, 2025, in Bela Rosa, along the Purus River. Footage showed the man, barefoot and wearing a loincloth, appearing calm and in good health as he carried logs. According to local residents, he was reportedly seeking fire. Brazil's Indigenous affairs agency, Funai, stated that they promptly arrived on the scene to ensure his safety, taking him to a nearby facility for evaluation. They assessed his exposure to potential diseases to which isolated tribes have no immunity. The agency emphasized that Brazil's policy does not encourage contact with such groups, instead aiming to maintain protected areas, such as Mamoriá Grande, near the site of the encounter. Funai added that surveillance measures have been set up to prevent unauthorized access to the isolated tribe’s region.