Brazil's Lula vows to veto bill that could reduce Bolsonaro's prison sentence

SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said Thursday he will veto a bill that could significantly reduce the 27-year prison sentence of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who was arrested in November for attempting a coup.

The Senate passed the bill late Wednesday, following approval by the Chamber of Deputies.

“With all due respect to the National Congress, when it reaches my desk, I will veto it," Lula told journalists in Brasilia, noting that those who committed crimes against Brazilian democracy “will have to pay for their acts.”

The text is also expected to be challenged at the Supreme Court.

The bill reduces the final sentences of defendants convicted under multiple charges stemming from the coup attempt, including Bolsonaro.

The former president’s lawyers appealed to the Supreme Court after his conviction, saying his prison term was excessive. They also argued that the sentences for abolishing the rule of law and attempting a coup should not be added because they arose from a single episode.

The proposed law would speed up sentence progression from harsher to more lenient prison regimes for those convicted.

There is no consensus on how much time Bolsonaro would actually serve if the bill takes effect. Under current rules, the former president could move to a less restrictive prison system after 7 years if he met legal requirements while incarcerated.

Paulinho da Força, the bill’s rapporteur in the Chamber of Deputies, has estimated that period could be cut to just over two years if the law passes.

The bill would also allow sentence reductions of up to two-thirds for crimes committed in a crowd, benefiting defendants convicted of storming public buildings during the Jan. 8, 2023, insurrection in Brasilia.

Under the bill, those who did not finance or lead the actions could receive reductions ranging from one-third to two-thirds.

Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of the former president and a prospective presidential candidate in next year’s election, praised fellow lawmakers for approving the bill, calling it a “first step.”

“There shouldn’t even be a debate about amnesty, but about annulling the farce that the entire process was,” he said.

Sen. Bolsonaro is expected to challenge Lula, who is seeking a fourth nonconsecutive term, as the candidate of Bolsonaro’s Liberal Party in the 2026 presidential race.

On Sunday, tens of thousands of Brazilians protested against the bill. Demonstrations took place in the capital Brasilia and in other major cities across the country, including Sao Paulo, Florianopolis, Salvador and Recife.

Follow the AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during a year-end press conference at Planalto presidential palace in Brasilia, Brazil, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during a year-end press conference at Planalto presidential palace in Brasilia, Brazil, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva takes a sip of coffee during a year-end press conference at Planalto presidential palace in Brasilia, Brazil, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during a year-end press conference at Planalto presidential palace in Brasilia, Brazil, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro points to his electronic ankle monitor that the Supreme Court ordered him to wear, at Congress in Brasilia, Brazil, July 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Minervino Junior, CB/D.A Press, File)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — LeBron James was in awe of “Luka magic” after Luka Doncic had 45 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds in his fifth triple-double of the season in a 143-135 win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday night.

“That’s Luka. Luka magic! It’s no surprise. He’s just so damn good, it’s ridiculous,” said James, who had 28 points and 10 assists for the Lakers.

Doncic had his first 40-point triple-double as a Laker since arriving last season became the second player to have a 45-point triple double with five steals since the NBA began keeping track of steals. Cade Cunningham was first.

But the statistic that made Doncic smile the most in the postgame press conference was his single turnover.

“One turnover is the best thing on this stat sheet. We have seven turnovers, which is impressive for us, and we won the game,” Doncic said.

The Lakers led by 12 in the fourth quarter but the Jazz cut it to 134-130 before Doncic found Jaxson Hayes for his final assist and the cushion the Lakers needed to clinch the win.

He had a running conversation with a Jazz fan courtside and yelled, “Sit down” and “How are you doing now?” after Hayes threw down emphatic dunk off Doncic's lob.

Despite constant traps and doubles from the Jazz, Doncic had 10 points in the fourth as the Lakers outscored the Jazz 41-29.

For more than two decades, James has been accustomed to being the playmaker and the focus of his team’s offense. Now Doncic is the point, the trigger of the offensive attack, especially in crunch time.

The Lakers improved to 10-0 this season in crunch time with Doncic at the controls.

“It’s pretty awesome to be 10-0 in the clutch, and 12-3 on the road too, which is not easy,” Doncic said.

Marcus Smart was the recipient of two Doncic assists for 3-pointers during a fourth-quarter surge as the Jazz tried to double and trap Doncic.

Many of the Lakers — including Smart and Doncic who got technical fouls — were frustrated with the tightly-called game but Luka’s composure when it mattered most impressed Smart.

“It was big-time for us. He stayed in there mentally. I know he was very frustrated, but he kept his composure, held it together and did what he does best. He controlled his team and helped us come up with this victory,” Smart said.

The Lakers were missing Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton to injury but Doncic made sure that would not be an excuse.

“There are stretches of excellence but there are stretches where he’s not as engaged and isn’t executing our stuff defensive … but he played certainly well enough to lead us to a win. He and LeBron had 28 assists and three turnovers,” Los Angeles coach JJ Redick said.

Doncic agreed.

“Honestly, I could do some more,” Doncic said, despite his historic night.

AP NBA: https://www.apnews.com/NBA

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) lays up the ball against the Utah Jazz during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots against the Utah Jazz during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) posts up against Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots over Utah Jazz forward Kevin Love (42) and guard Keyonte George (3) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)