Carlos Lacerda vs Maithripala Sirisena

As a journalist and politician, Lacerda led a fierce campaign against President Vargas, accusing his government of corruption and links to crime. His attacks culminated in the attempted assassination of Lacerda, which led to Vargas' suicide.

Lacerda was elected governor of the newly created state of Guanabara (Rio de Janeiro) as a candidate of the National Democratic Union (UDN). His administration focused on urban development, education, and anti-corruption measures.

Lacerda was a key civilian supporter of the military coup that overthrew President Jo

Lacerda turned against the military dictatorship, criticizing its authoritarianism. In response, the regime stripped him of his political rights for 10 years under Institutional Act Number Five (AI-5), forcing him into exile.

Maithripala Sirisena was elected President of Sri Lanka on January 8, 2015, defeating incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa. His victory was seen as a rejection of Rajapaksa's authoritarian rule and a move towards democratic reforms.

Sirisena's government repealed the 18th Amendment to the constitution, which had allowed the president to seek unlimited terms. The 19th Amendment was passed, restoring the two-term limit and reducing presidential powers, strengthening parliamentary oversight.

Sirisena attempted to dismiss Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and appoint Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister, sparking a constitutional crisis. The move was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, and Wickremesinghe was reinstated after 52 days.

Following the Easter Sunday bombings on April 21, 2019, which killed over 250 people, Sirisena's government faced criticism for intelligence failures. He declared a state of emergency and sought international assistance, but his handling of the crisis was widely condemned.