Brazil's Supreme Court sentenced former President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years in prison for plotting a coup at the end of a landmark trial that divided the nation and drew the ire of the United States.

The sentence could mean that the 70-year-old far-right leader will spend the rest of his life in prison.

The judges voted 4-1 to convict Bolsonaro of plotting to overthrow Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva after his defeat in the October 2022 election by the leftist politician. He can appeal the sentence, AFP reported.

Washington reacted quickly to the conviction of the man dubbed the "Trump of the tropics."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US would "respond appropriately" to the "politically motivated witch hunt."

Trump, who imposed high tariffs on Brazil as punishment for Bolsonaro's persecution, called the sentence "very surprising."

"This is very similar to their attempt to do the same thing to me, but it didn't work," he said, calling Bolsonaro "a good man."

Although the Supreme Court had already gathered the necessary majority of three votes for his conviction in the fourth vote, it only became final after the last of the five judges announced his decision.

"The defendants formed an armed criminal organization that must be convicted based on the facts, which I consider proven," said the fifth judge, Cristiano Zanin, Lula's former lawyer.

Bolsonaro's seven accomplices, including former ministers and military chiefs, were also convicted.

Bolsonaro, a former army captain who was president from 2019 to 2022, claims he is the victim of political persecution. | BGNES