The corruption on the last 25th has thickened to at least 20 cases of ex-mandates detained since the beginning of this century.
In Brazil, in recent years, preceded by (MDB) and (PT), all detained on charges of corruption.
This is the most common cause to generate at least 20 arrests recorded in the region in recent years, according to a survey by Sheet. Then most of the arrests are linked to crimes against humanity related to dictatorial periods or attempts to coup and violation of the Constitution.
In this area, there are countries such as Argentina and Uruguay, both with dictators responsible for their crimes, and Bolivia, with Jeanine Áñez (2019-2020) arrested in 2021 accused of giving a coup d’état. She says she is political arrested.
In Brazil, the number of former presidents arrested may increase whether Jair Bolsonaro (PL) is convicted on charges of attempted coup in proceedings already in progress in the Supreme Court (STF). If convicted, he can take more than 40 years in prison and increase his ineligibility, which currently runs until 2030.
Another example of a country that has recorded arrests involving attacks on democracy, Peru stands out with corruption cases related to Odebrecht contractor, in investigations resulting from Operation Lava Jato in Brazil.
The country has already had the arrest of Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (2016-2018), Ollanta Humala (2011- 2016) and Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006). Alan Garcia (1985-1990 and 2006-2011) committed suicide in 2019 before being detained after having his asylum request in Uruguay denied.
Detention analysis points to the recurrence of household and preventive arrests, with cases marked by politicians in relation to the restriction of freedom. In the survey, arrests were considered with warrants issued by the judiciary and effectively consummated. Therefore, cases of judgment issued without compliance with international escape, for example.
The information for the survey was collected by the report with specialists Ricardo Gueiros, professor of law at UFES (Federal University of Espírito Santo), Flavia Loss de Araujo, professor of international relations at the Mauá Institute of Technology, and Lucas Damasceno, expert in Latin American policy and a doctor of international relations at USP.
See below cases of arrest of South American representatives since the beginning of the century.
Brazil
Fernando Collor (1990-1992)
due to May 2023 conviction for corruption and money laundering in a process derived from Lava Jato. The penalty was set at the time in eight years and ten months in prison. Received authorization to serve house arrest. His also on charges of corruption.
Michel Temer (2016-2019)
It was twice, but got habeas corpus and was not sentenced. The arrest took place on charges of corruption in deployment of Operation Lava Jato.
Lula (2003-2011 and 2023-2026)
for money laundering and corruption in a lawsuit that condemned him to more than 12 years in prison. He was released after a year and seven months detained in Curitiba, and his sentences were later annulled.
Argentina
Reynaldo Bignone (1982-1983)
He was convicted in 2010 for crimes against humanity in the Argentine dictatorship (1976-1983). Last military man to hold the position of president of the country before redemocratization, received other convictions, including life imprisonment. in a military hospital.
Jorge Rafael saw (1976-1981)
General who headed the Argentine coup after being sentenced to life imprisonment in 1985 and 2010 and had been pardoned, house arrest and prison.
Carlos Menem (1989-1999)
He was under house arrest in 2001 for more than five months for arms trafficking. In 2018, he was acquitted. He was also convicted of corruption. Menem died in 2021.
Bolivia
Jeanine Áñez (2019-2020)
Preventively arrested in 2021 accused of coup d’état after the resignation of Evo Morales two years earlier. At the time, he had assumed the interim presidency as the second vice president of the Senate. The following year, he was sentenced to ten years in prison. She says she is political arrested.
Colombia
Álvaro Uribe (2002-2010)
It was two months in justification of risk of obstruction of justice in case involving accusation of procedural fraud and bribery. The process is still in progress. If convicted, you can get up to eight years in prison.
Ecuador
Abdalá Bucaram (1996-1997)
due to investigation for corruption and possible participation in the murder of an Israeli criminal. In 2021, it was released.
Lucio Gutiérrez (2003-2005)
after returning from exile. Had pre -trial detention decreed on charges of violating the Constitution. The accusations were withdrawn in March 2006, and Lucio Gutiérrez was released.
Gustavo Noboa (2000-2003)
In 2005, he was placed in house arrest after returning from exile in the Dominican Republic. Arrest warrant listed to an investigation into irregularities in negotiations on the country’s foreign debt. He died at the age of 83 in 2021.
Paraguay
Luis Ángel González Macchi (1999-2003)
and arrested preventively in 2006 for illicit enrichment and false declaration of assets. He stayed a few days before paying bail. He suffered an 8 -year conviction, but the sentence was annulled.
Juan Carlos Wasmosy (1993-1998)
In 2002, he was sentenced to four years in prison for embezzlement of public funds related to a bank scandal. The penalty was reduced to bail and house arrest.
Peru
Pedro Castillo (2021-2022)
Arrested in 2022 after trying to dissolve Congress and call new elections. Still arrested, he entered March on hunger strike against his trial. The prosecution calls for more than 30 years in prison.
Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (2016-2018)
Preventively arrested in 2019 on suspicion of involvement in corruption scheme involving Odebrecht. He became under house arrest.
Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006)
In 2024, he was sentenced to 20 years and six months in prison on charges of receiving bribes from Odebrecht. He was arrested five years earlier in the United States and extradited in 2023 to Peru.
Ollanta Humala (2011-2016)
Convicted in April 2025 to 15 years in prison on charges of laundering money from Odebrecht and former Venezuela president Hugo Chavez. Before that, with his wife, Nadine Heredia.
Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000)
Arrested in 2005 in Chile and extradited two years later to Peru. In 2009, it was and corruption. He even received a pardon, but was arrested again. Loose in 2023, he died the following year at the age of 86.
Uruguay
Gregorio Álvarez (1981-1985)
Last Uruguayan dictator was arrested in 2007 and later convicted of 25 years in prison for the disappearance of people during the Uruguayan dictatorship (1973-1985). He suffered from senile dementia and died at age 91 in 2016.
Juan María Bordaberry (1972-1976)
He was arrested in 2006 and then sentenced to 30 years in prison due to murders and political disappearances during the dictatorship. In 2007, he began to serve the sentence at home, where he died four years later, at the age of 83.
