Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has announced a “federal intervention” in the capital Brasilia after supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro raided the parliament building, the presidential palace and the supreme court. Lula calls the protesters “fanatical fascists”.
A federal intervention means, among other things, that federal troops will ensure security in the Brazilian capital Brasilia. However, the measure applies until January 31st. Shortly after the announcement, federal troops began arresting protesters inside government buildings. More than four hundred people have already been arrested and the situation is under control.
Lula is on a business trip to the state of São Paulo, visiting a region affected by severe flooding. In a press conference from the southeastern city of Araraquara, he strongly condemned the attack on government buildings in Brasilia. Among other things, he called the authors “fascist fanatics”. Furthermore, Lula, 77, has promised that the authorities will identify and prosecute the vandals “with all the force of the law”.
Lula was also critical of the security in and around the parliament building, the presidential palace and the Supreme Court. According to the president, the military police have not done their job. “There has been incompetence, ill will and bad faith on the part of the people who ensure security. It’s not the first time.”
Brazil’s Attorney General has issued an arrest warrant for Brasilia’s security chief Anderson Torres. On Sunday, the local governor reported on Twitter that Torres had been fired.
Bolsonaro also condemns the assault
Bolsonaro’s supporters assert themselves in Brasilia because they do not accept the oath of leftist Lula. Bolsonaro himself has hardly spoken since he lost the October election. He didn’t congratulate the winner and never said he acknowledged the achievement. He has been living in the US state of Florida since December 30th.
The situation is very reminiscent of the storming of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. Thousands of protesters stormed the Capitol that day to stop what they see as an illegal election defeat by former President Donald Trump.
Condemnation of the violence from Bolsonaro supporters has now come from around the world, including Mexico, Chile, the US and the EU. Later Sunday, Bolsonaro also condemned the assault. He wrote on Twitter: “Peaceful demonstrations and respect for the law are part of a democracy.”
US President Joe Biden, who began his presidency similar to Lula, called the assault “outrageous” in an initial reaction. Biden then tweeted: “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 compromised.”
