Former Brazilian President Fernando Collor de Mello Arrested, Imprisoned

Brazil’s former President Fernando Collor de Mello has been arrested and sentenced to nearly nine years in prison on corruption and money laundering charges.

The 75-year-old former leader, who was the country’s first democratically elected president, was taken into custody in the northeast of Brazil on Friday, April 25, 2025.

The arrest comes after a top court upheld the sentence, rejecting Collor de Mello’s efforts to have the arrest order annulled.

According to prosecutors, the former president received funds to “irregularly facilitate contracts” between a construction company and a former subsidiary of the Brazilian state oil company Petrobras.

Collor de Mello’s tumultuous past has been marked by controversy, including his forced resignation in 1992, halfway through his term, after Congress launched impeachment proceedings against him for allegedly taking bribes.

This latest development is a significant blow to the former president, who has been embroiled in a long-standing corruption case.

The arrest of Collor de Mello is not an isolated incident, as Brazil has a history of presidents being held accountable for their actions. In fact, four of the seven presidents who have led the country since the 1964-1985 military dictatorship have either been convicted, jailed, or impeached.

In a related development, far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro has been ordered to stand trial over an alleged coup plot after losing the 2022 election. This case highlights the ongoing efforts to hold Brazil’s leaders accountable for their actions and to root out corruption in the country’s highest echelons of power.

The sentencing of Collor de Mello serves as a reminder that no one is above the law, and that those in positions of power will be held accountable for their actions. As Brazil continues to grapple with corruption and political instability, the arrest and sentencing of the former president is a significant step towards promoting transparency and accountability in the country’s government.