Hundreds of supporters of Brazil’s far-right ex-president Jair Bolsonaro stormed several official buildings – including the Congress and the Presidential Palace – on Sunday. The protests are against the election victory of left-wing president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who has been in office since the beginning of the year.
On their way to the main control centers of the South American state, they smashed windows and caused significant property damage, as can be seen in photos circulated on online networks. They entered Parliament’s grounds and then ascended to the roof of the building, as shown in television footage. Video footage from local media showed thousands of people destroying furniture in the stormed buildings. Their number was estimated at about 3000.
“I condemn these anti-democratic acts that must be urgently punished with the harshness of the law,” Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco wrote on Twitter. “I was on the phone with the Governor of the Federal District, Ibaneis Rocha, with whom I am in regular contact. The governor informed me that the entire police force is focused on getting the situation under control,” Pacheco continued.
Memories of Capitol Storm in Washington DC
The Senate and House of Representatives are located in the congress building. The images evoked memories of the storming of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. After the attack on Congress, Bolsonaro supporters also went to the Supreme Court. The news portal G1 reported that they smashed windows and entered the lobby. Later, they accordingly moved to the government seat of Palácio do Planalto. Many invaders wore yellow clothes and waved the Brazilian flag. Numerous Bolsonaro supporters also gathered in the surrounding lawns and squares and in front of Planalto’s presidential palace. Attempts by security forces to push back the demonstrators with tear gas were apparently unsuccessful.
The right-wing president Bolsonaro lost in the second round to left-wing politician Lula da Silva last October and left office around the turn of the year. He had never explicitly acknowledged his electoral defeat. Even after the election, radical supporters of the ex-serviceman had repeatedly protested Lula’s victory and called on the country’s armed forces to stage a military coup.
Bolsonaro flew to the US
Brazilian President Lula was in São Paulo state on Sunday, according to officials. Lula had taken his oath of office a week ago. His predecessor, the right-wing populist Bolsonaro, did not recognize the victory and left the country 48 hours before the end of his term.
Before leaving for Florida, he addressed his followers and called on them to fight against Lula. They have since protested the outcome of the second round and called for a military coup to prevent Lula from taking office. This is his third term in office. He was head of state from 2003 to 2010.
Source: Krone
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