Washington: At least 400 people have been arrested after supporters of Brazil’s far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed key government buildings in the national capital, the governor of the country’s Federal District, Ibanes Rocha, said. According to CNN, police said on Sunday that protesters involved in today’s breach at three main government buildings – the Supreme Court, the Presidential Palace and the Congress building – have been removed. A senior government official vowed to punish those involved.
Bolsonaro’s party strongly condemned the attack on government buildings. “Today is a sad day for the nation of Brazil,” Valdemar Costa Neto, head of Jair Bolsonaro’s right-wing Liberal party, said in a statement. Bolsonaro also condemned “the vandalism and invasion of public buildings” on Sunday, when hundreds of his supporters raided Congress, the presidential palace and the Supreme Court.
Bolsonaro dismissed as “groundless” accusations by new President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva that he instigated the invasion of the seat of power in Brasilia. Writing on Twitter, the former president – who left Brazil for the US state of Florida last month on the second-to-last day of his term – also defended the right to “peaceful protest”.
“We cannot agree to the humiliation of the National Congress. All ordered expressions are legitimate,” the statement said. “Disorder has never been part of our nation’s principles. I want to tell you that we strongly condemn this kind of attitude. And the law must be met while strengthening our democracy.”
Biden, UN chief condemn attack on ‘democracy in Brazil’
US President Joe Biden condemned the “attack on democracy” in Brazil after supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro stormed the country’s Congress, presidential palace and Supreme Court. In a tweet, Biden stressed that Brazil’s democratic institutions have the full support of the US.
Biden tweeted, “I condemn the attack on democracy and the peaceful transfer of power in Brazil. We fully support Brazil’s democratic institutions and the will of the Brazilian people must not be undermined. I work with @ Looking forward to continuing.” LulaOfficial.”
I condemn the attack on democracy and 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 @LulaOfficial, – President Biden (@POTUS) January 8, 2023
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the “attack on Brazil’s democratic institutions”. He stressed that the will of the Brazilian people and democratic institutions must be respected. In a tweet, Guterres said, “I condemn today’s attack on Brazil’s democratic institutions. The will of the Brazilian people and democratic institutions must be respected. I am sure it will be. Brazil is a great democracy.” ” ,
Earlier, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the attack on Brazil’s presidential palace, Congress and Supreme Court. He stressed that it was “unacceptable” to use violence to attack democratic institutions.
Antony Blinken tweeted, “We condemn today’s attacks on Brazil’s Presidency, Congress and Supreme Court. Using violence to attack democratic institutions is always unacceptable. We urge an immediate end to these actions.” joins @lulaoficial for.”
Supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro broke through security barriers on Sunday and entered Brazil’s Congress, Supreme Court and Planalto Presidential Palace, CNN reported, citing images shown in Brazilian media.
The supporters’ action came after Brazil’s Justice Minister Flavio Dino authorized the country’s armed forces on Saturday to set up roadblocks and guard the Congress building because of the continued presence of Bolsonaro supporters.
According to news reports, Bolsonaro supporters have been camping in Brasilia since Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva became the President of Brazil. Presently no session was going on in either house of the Congress.
According to CNN, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was not in the building when protesters stormed the presidential palace. However, a team of officers was working inside the palace when the protesters stormed the presidential palace.
(with agency inputs)