Brazil: Security forces regain control of Congress after riots

Authorities have reportedly arrested at least 150 rioters who are supporters of far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro.

Images from the CNN Brazil channel showed Bolsonaros dressed in yellow and green arriving in single file, hands behind their backs, on the archway of Planaldo’s presidential palace, surrounded by police.

In other images, a bus full of arrested protesters can be seen heading in the direction of a police station.

Police attached to the Senate announced 30 arrests in the chamber, one of the seats of power hit by the Bolsonaros, as well as the neighboring House of Representatives, the Presidential Palace and the Supreme Court.

As night fell in the Brazilian capital, law enforcement appeared to be gradually restoring the situation, holding back protesters with water cannons, although dozens of protesters remained in place and the situation remained chaotic.

The police used batons to disperse the rioters.

Photo: Reuters/Wesley Marcelino

Actions taken by “fascists” and “fanatics”.

Lula, who traveled to Sao Paulo, condemned the incidents Fascists and by fanatics WHO will be punished to the full extent of the law. In the same speech, he called for the deployment of federal security forces in Brasilia until January 31.

The Attorney General’s Office has requested the removal and arrest of Anderson Torres, head of federal district security and former Brazilian justice and public security minister.

Ibanez Rocha, the governor of the Federal District of Brasilia, an ally of Jair Bolsonaro, apologized to President Lula in a video. He called out those responsible for the demolition of public buildings True spoilers And Real terrorists.

We saw all these moves with Minister (Justice) Flavio Tino […] Never thought these demonstrations would reach such proportionshe said.

Other allies of the outgoing president have also distanced themselves from the violence, including Valdemar Costa Neto, leader of a repentant Bolsonaro’s party PL. A sad day for Brazil

Rioters attempt to stand up to law enforcement at government buildings in Brasilia.

Photo: Associated Press/Eraldo Perez

By mid-afternoon, thousands of demonstrators gathered near Brazil’s places of power. Many of them entered the Supreme Court and Congress, where they smashed windows and furniture.

Local media estimated around 3,000 people were present during the events commemorating the January 6, 2021 attack on the US capital by supporters of former US President Donald Trump.

Protesters are contesting the October 30 election results in which leftist candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva defeated incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro.

Supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro besiege an official building in a protest against President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brasilia, Brazil.

Photo: Reuters/ADRIANO MACHADO

Jair Bolsonaro has repeatedly challenged the credibility of Brazil’s electronic voting system, without evidence that many of his supporters agree. Mr. Bolsonaro left Brazil for Florida less than 48 hours before the end of his mandate.

Lula’s Workers’ Party asked the attorney general’s office to order the intervention of public security forces to control the protesters.

Brasilia Governor Ibanez Rocha told Reuters that all security forces had been deployed to deal with the rioters.

Supporters from Latin America and around the world

Messages of support for President Lula poured in from across Latin America and the world. US President Joe Biden called the situation “scandalous” after his Secretary of State Anthony Blinken condemned the attack on Brazilian companies. As did French President Emmanuel Macron, who posted a message on Twitter:

” Brazil must respect the will of the people and democratic institutions! President Lula can count on France’s unwavering support. »

In Mexico, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador affirmed his full support for the Brazilian administration.

Supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro vandalized a room at the Planaldo Palace in Brasilia.

Photo: Reuters/ADRIANO MACHADO

Fascism decided to stage a coup In Brazil, Colombian President Gustavo Pedro wrote on Twitter, requesting an emergency meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS). On the same network, Chilean President Gabriel Boric condemned A A cowardly and vicious attack on democracy.

Argentine President Alberto Fernandez expressed his support for President Lula In the face of this coup attempt.

The US embassy in Brazil has advised its nationals to avoid the city of Brasilia until further notice.