In the same coverage, President Lula responded firmly, stating, “The defense of democracy in Brazil is a matter for Brazilians. Lasting peace requires mutual respect for sovereignty and giving Brazil’s justice system space to work without external pressure. Brazil’s political crisis did not begin with Bolsonaro’s conviction. After narrowly losing to Lula in 2022, Bolsonaro refused to admit defeat and instead spread false allegations of voter fraud. The violence was similar to the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, further connecting the political fates of Trump and Bolsonaro.