On Sunday, at least 3000 supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro swarmed the country’s Congress, presidential palace and Supreme Court in an attempt to take over the government.
After the capital security personnel were outnumbered by the invaders, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who narrowly beat Bolsonaro in the election last year, gave the order for the federal military intervention in Brasilia to run until January 31.
Supporters who were subsequently captured by police at the scene were dispersed using tear gas.
In the capital, tens of thousands of demonstrators dressed in yellow and green were spotted causing mayhem. The legal dangers that Bolsonaro currently faces might be increased by the bloodshed in Brasilia.
President Lula, in a press conference, launched a blistering attack on Bolsonaro and complained about a lack of security in the capital.
“These vandals, who we could call fanatical Nazis, fanatical Stalinists … fanatical fascists, did what has never been done in the history of this country,” said Lula, who was on an official trip to Sao Paulo state.
“All these people who did this will be found and they will be punished,” Lula was quoted as saying by the news agency Reuters.
Meanwhile, the Brazilian police said that they have arrested 300 people protesting, further adding, the investigation would continue until the last member is identified.
300 presos. As investigações seguem até que o último integrante seja identificado.
— PCDF – Polícia Civil (@pcdf_oficial) January 9, 2023
Later, the protestors were seen coming out of the Congress in a queue after being arrested.
United States President Joe Biden condemned the attack, terming it to be an assault on democracy and sought a peaceful transfer of power in Brazil.
I condemn the assault on democracy and on the peaceful transfer of power in Brazil. Brazil’s democratic institutions have our full support and the will of the Brazilian people must not be undermined. I look forward to continuing to work with @LulaOficial.
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 8, 2023
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the attacks, saying that the country’s institution must be respected.
I condemn today’s assault on Brazil’s democratic institutions.
The will of the Brazilian people and the country’s institutions must be respected.
I am confident that it will be so. Brazil is a great democratic country.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) January 8, 2023
