The article reflects on Brazil's historical relationship with its military, emphasizing that the country was founded by a military coup in 1889 and has experienced military tutelage throughout the 20th century. Moments of military intervention were not solely by their own initiative but often in collaboration with societal sectors, underlining a long record of soldier-led involvement in politics. This legacy, however, seemed to be buried after the last military dictatorship ended in 1985, until it resurged during Jair Bolsonaro's presidency, notably after his defeat to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in 2022.

The text further investigates the recent legal proceedings post the coup attempt on January 8, which resulted in judicial scrutiny by Brazil's Supreme Court (STF). The former president, implicated in this coup attempt, is serving a lengthy prison sentence of over 27 years due to his actions. More significantly, the article points to the unprecedented nature of this legal accountability: not only the former captain but also three generals and a four-star admiral are facing imprisonment, marking a historic moment for a nation known for enduring multiple military coups without such stringent military accountability.

The accountability demonstrated marks a potential turning point in how Brazil deals with military figures, historically shielded from severe legal consequences. This shift in punitive measures reflects a broader societal change towards rejecting military insurrection and underscores the ongoing struggles in Brazilian politics that stem from its past.