Bolsonaro Win Foreshadows A Return To Power For Brazil's Military

The election of Brazil's new president, Jair Bolsonaro, has prompted fears that the country's authoritarian past might be making a comeback. 

An ex-military official, Bolsonaro has repeatedly praised the oppressive military dictatorship that governed Brazil from 1964 to 1985. Hundreds of people were abducted and killed during the military's rule.

The dictatorship left long scars on Brazil's political system: one of Bolsonaro's recent predecessors, Dilma Rousseff, was jailed and tortured by the old regime.

Far-Right Candidate Bolsonaro Wins Brazilian Presidential Election

Heading into the election, polls showed Jair Bolsonaro held a 12 point lead over his opponent, Fernando Haddad.

LEARN MORE

Brazil's military could make a return to political prominence under Bolsonaro — the country's new president has pledged to tap military leaders to form his cabinet.

But Bolsonaro's also vowed to stick to the democratic principles of the country's constitution: he recently chastised his son in public for suggesting Bolsonaro might dismantle Brazil's Supreme Court.

This video includes reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.