Brazil President Dilma Rousseff takes stand in impeachment trial

Brasília, Brazil (CNN) - President Dilma Rousseff insisted Monday she had committed no crime and said she was proud that she'd been "faithful to my commitment to the nation."

Brazil's post-Olympic high came to an end as Rousseff's impeachment trial began. Her remarks from the Senate floor suggested the suspended president had no intention of accepting the bid for her impeachment without a fight.

"I'll plan and fight for democracy," she said. "I don't fight for my term for the power, but I fight for the democracy for truth and justice and the people of my country."

It's not clear if an impassioned speech will do any good. The tide of opinion is against her, and the appearance is widely expected to be her last public address.

It's a jarring return to reality for the South American nation, with the final vote in the drama following the celebrations that came with Rio de Janeiro hosting the 2016 Summer Olympics.

The impeachment process has dragged on for months, predating the Olympic torch lighting ceremony -- a glitzy showpiece that, despite orchestrating, Rousseff was barred from attending. It's a political crisis that ordinary Brazilians could do well without -- the country is trying to pick itself out of recession.

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