Brazil’s Bolsonaro denies proposing coup to military leaders

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro denied a report Thursday claiming he consulted with top military leaders on staging a coup to stop Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from assuming the presidency last January. Three members of Bolsonaro's legal team said in a statement posted on social media channels that the far-right leader “never took any measure that conflicted the boundaries and assurances established by the constitution.” Earlier in the day, the newspaper O Globo reported that a former Bolsonaro aide said in plea bargain testimony that the then president talked with the commanders of Brazil's army, navy and air force about overthrowing the results of last year's election won by Lula.