In what is being dubbed a ‘fascist attack’, hundreds of supporters of Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro raided the National Congress, the presidential palace and the Supreme Court, refusing to accept their election defeat. Supporters of Bolsonaro have also vandalized buildings in the country’s capital, Brasilia, to oppose the country’s newly elected President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
supporters broke the security cordon of the army
According to the country’s media outlets, Bolsonaro’s supporters broke through the security cordon set up by the army. In several videos that have emerged from the country, massive crowds of Bolsonaro supporters can be seen surrounding the presidential palace draped in the Brazilian national flag, at which police fired tear gas.
More than 200 rioters arrested:
According to reports, government officials have arrested at least 200 rioters. Security forces have dispersed the protesters and the situation around Parliament, Supreme Court and Rashtrapati Bhavan is under control.
Why did the riots break out?
Leftist leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has become president in Brazil, although neither has former president Jair Bolsonaro. Nor are his supporters ready to give up. Lula, who was president from January 2003 to December 2010, defeated Bolsonaro in the election held on October 31, 2022. Riots broke out in the country only a week after he was sworn in.
Rioters looted government weapons
Bolsonaro’s supporters not only ransacked houses but also stole government weapons. After the violence spread in the capital, Bolsonaro said in a tweet on Sunday that peaceful demonstrations are part of democracy. Meanwhile, in a statement, President Lula called the action radical fascist. Earlier, Lula declared emergency powers to send the National Guard to the capital, Brasilia, to restore order.
What PM Narendra Modi said:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed concern over the riots in Brazil and extended support to the country’s administration. He insisted that “democratic traditions must be respected by all.”
In a tweet, he wrote, “Extremely concerned by reports of riots and vandalism against government institutions in Brasilia. Democratic traditions must be respected by everyone. We offer our full support to the Brazilian authorities.”