March 16: Dilma Rousseff appoints former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as her chief of staff, a position that would have made him immune from prosecution. A conversation between them was recorded and later leaked by Sergio Moro, who was rebuked for the disclosure.[3]
Protesters in Brasília hold a violent demonstration against a proposed public spending cap. Police use tear gas and rubber bullets in order to disperse the demonstrators.[50]
December 31: A body found in a burnt-out vehicle north of Rio de Janeiro is confirmed to be that of missing Greek Ambassador Kyriakos Amiridis. A military police officer who had an affair with the ambassador's wife confesses to the murder. The wife and a second man are also detained.[57]