Brazil’s Federal Police just dropped a bombshell, indicting Carlos Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, for running a shadowy espionage ring, Breitbart reported on Wednesday. 

This isn’t just family drama—it’s a full-blown scandal rocking Brazil’s political elite. The charges paint a picture of a rogue operation that allegedly spied on justices, lawmakers, and journalists to fuel social media attacks.

On June 17, 2025, authorities charged Carlos, a Rio de Janeiro councillor, alongside Congressman Alexandre Ramagem, current ABIN chief Luiz Fernando Corrêa, and over 30 others with operating a “parallel ABIN” during Jair Bolsonaro’s 2019–2022 presidency. The scheme allegedly used Israeli-made FirstMile software to track political foes. It’s a stunning accusation of abuse of power under a conservative banner.

The “hate cabinet,” as prosecutors call it, was allegedly Carlos Bolsonaro’s brainchild, weaponizing illegally gathered data to smear opponents online. This wasn’t just political mudslinging—it was a calculated effort to silence dissent. The irony? A family that railed against “socialist overreach” now faces charges for Big Brother tactics.

Espionage Roots in Bolsonaro Era

The operation, dubbed “parallel ABIN,” allegedly began during Jair Bolsonaro’s tenure, with Ramagem, his former spy chief, structuring the illegal surveillance. FirstMile, bought under President Michel Temer’s administration, could reportedly track 10,000 phones annually from 2019 to 2021. That’s not intelligence gathering—that’s a digital dragnet.

Targets included Supreme Federal Tribunal Justices Alexandre de Moraes, Luís Roberto Barroso, Dias Toffoli, and Luiz Fux, plus lawmakers and journalists. The goal? Dig up dirt to blast on social media. It’s hard to square this with the Bolsonaro camp’s cries of “freedom” when they were allegedly stalking their critics.

“Any doubt that Lula’s Federal Police would do this to me?” Carlos Bolsonaro posted on June 18, 2025, hinting at political persecution. Nice try, but the evidence from Operation Close Surveillance, including 2024 raids on his and Ramagem’s homes, suggests otherwise. Deflecting to “Lula’s agenda” doesn’t erase the paper trail.

ABIN Chief’s Alleged Cover-Up

Luiz Fernando Corrêa, appointed ABIN head by President Lula in 2023, faces accusations of obstructing the investigation. This twist raises eyebrows—why would Lula’s pick shield a Bolsonaro-linked scheme? It’s a messy web where loyalty and betrayal blur.

Ramagem, meanwhile, claims his management pushed for oversight and investigated FirstMile’s misuse. “The PF investigation revealed only creativity directed at the press,” he said. Creative? Maybe if you call spying on justices a performance art piece.

The Federal Police believe Jair Bolsonaro knew about and benefited from the scheme but wasn’t indicted here due to a separate “coup” trial charging him with similar crimes. “Bolsonaro was part of the political core,” G1 corrected, noting he dodged double jeopardy. Convenient for the former president, but the stench of complicity lingers.

Bolsonaro Family’s Legal Woes Mount

This indictment follows a rough stretch for the Bolsonaros. Jair faces trials for allegedly plotting to poison Lula and stage a coup to overturn the 2022 election. He’s also been banned from office until 2030 for questioning Brazil’s electoral system—hardly the resume of a victimized patriot.

Eduardo Bolsonaro, another son, is under scrutiny for obstructing investigations and seeking U.S. sanctions against Justice de Moraes. His March 2025 asylum bid in the U.S., claiming persecution, feels more like a publicity stunt than a principled stand. The family’s knack for drama rivals their legal troubles.

Initial reports from G1 and UOL falsely claimed Jair Bolsonaro was indicted, only to retract later. Sloppy journalism or deliberate spin? Either way, it muddies an already complex story.

Conservative Values Betrayed?

The Bolsonaro brand once rallied conservatives against Brazil’s leftward lurch, but this scandal undercuts their moral high ground. Spying on opponents isn’t the answer to progressive overreach—it’s a betrayal of the very liberties they claimed to defend. True conservatives don’t need dirty tricks to win arguments.

Carlos Bolsonaro’s “hate cabinet” allegations evoke a chilling image: a government weaponizing tech to crush dissent. If proven, it’s not just illegal—it’s a gut punch to the rule of law. Brazil deserves better than this soap opera of surveillance and score-settling.

As the Bolsonaros face mounting legal battles, their supporters cry foul, but the evidence keeps piling up. Conservatism thrives on principle, not paranoia. Maybe it’s time for Brazil’s right to find new champions who don’t confuse governance with a vendetta.