Supporters of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro stormed the Brazilian Congress, the Supreme Court and presidential palace in the capital Sunday. This came just a week after the inauguration of his leftist rival, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Bolsonaro’s supporters climbed on the roof, broke windows and vandalized offices in a riot, described by Silva as “barbarism” by “fascists.”
Just as the demonstrators reached the presidential palace, many called for a military intervention to restore the far-right Bolsonaro to power.
Also Read | Justin Herbert benched: Los Angeles Chargers get Chase Daniel at quarterback vs Denver Broncos
Images shared on social media showed protesters roaming the presidential palace, many of them wearing green and yellow, the colors of the flag.
After hours of protest, Ibaneis Rocha, the governor of the country’s Federal District, said that at least 400 people were arrested.
“We continue working to identify all the others who participated in these terrorist acts this afternoon in the Federal District. We continue to work to restore order,” Rocha said in a tweet.
Police also told CNN Brazil that the three main government buildings have been cleared of protesters.
“I’m in the field, walking on the streets and personally commanding the security forces, fulfilling the mission I received from the President of the Republic. Nobody will go unpunished. The democratic rule of law will not be walled up by criminals,” Executive Secretary of the Brazilian Justice Minister Ricardo Cappelli said.
The incidents brings back memories of the Jan. 6 invasion of the US Capitol. However, in this case, it is likely that Congress and the Supreme Court had limited personnel inside the buildings on a Sunday.
“Today is sad day for the Brazilian nation,” Valdemar Costa Neto, head of Jair Bolsonaro´s right-wing Liberal Party, said in a statement.
“We cannot agree with the depredation of the National Congress. All ordered manifestations are legitimate,” the statement continues. “Disorder has never been part of the principles of our nation. I want to say to you that we strongly condemn this type of attitude. And that the law must be fulfilled, strengthening our democracy.”
Also Read | NFC 2022 playoff picture: Who plays who, Philadelphia Eagles No 1 seed, San Francisco, Minnesota follow
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden condemned supporters of Bolsonaro for the breach.
“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,” Biden’s tweet read.
Lula defeated Bolsonaro in a runoff election – which came amid a tense political climate in Brazil – on Oct. 30 and now returns to power after a 12-year hiatus. The country has been struggling with high inflation, limited growth and rising poverty.