Brazilian authorities have arrested four soldiers involved in G20 summit security over an alleged 2022 plot to assassinate President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva before he assumed office. A federal police source confirmed on Tuesday that the soldiers, trained in special forces tactics, were detained in Rio de Janeiro, alongside a police officer.
A statement from Brazil’s federal police disclosed that the suspects were part of a criminal organization plotting a coup to prevent Lula, elected in October 2022, from taking office. The alleged scheme, dubbed “Green and Yellow Dagger” in reference to Brazil’s flag colors, involved plans to assassinate Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and a Supreme Court justice.
“The criminal group intended to establish a ‘crisis cabinet’ to replace the legitimately elected government,” the statement read. The group faces charges of plotting a coup, attempting to overthrow the government, and being part of a criminal organization.
The arrests coincided with the second day of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, attended by global leaders including U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Security for the event was intensified, with armored vehicles stationed across the city.
This operation comes less than a week after a failed bomb attack on the Supreme Court by a suspected far-right extremist, who reportedly had links to January 2023 riots in Brasília. These riots saw supporters of far-right ex-President Jair Bolsonaro storm government buildings in an attempt to overturn Lula’s victory.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes, a frequent target of right-wing anger for his rulings against disinformation and extremism, was among those reportedly targeted in the 2022 assassination plot.
Brazil continues to investigate multiple conspiracies aimed at destabilizing its democratic institutions, with officials pledging to hold all culprits accountable.
