Supporters Ex-Brazil President Storm Congress
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
BRASILIA (Worthy News) – Thousands of supporters of Brazil’s former rightwing President Jair Bolsonaro invaded the Supreme Court, the Congress building, and surrounded the presidential palace in Brasilia, the capital, several sources confirmed Sunday.
Commentators compared the stunning security breach to the January 6 invasion of the U.S. Capitol by rioters claiming to be supporters of then-President Donald J. Trump in 2021.
However, leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who claimed victory in the October elections and took office on January 1, was reportedly in São Paulo, and Congress was not in session.
Both Congress and the presidential offices were largely empty on Sunday when the attack occurred, witnesses said.
Protesters complained of tear gas, while security guards stationed at Congress reportedly took cover behind the buildings.
The invasions in the houses of national power followed months of protests by Bolsonaro supporters who camped outside military bases across the country.
They had urged the armed forces to take control of the government and halt the inauguration of Lula, citing doubts about the fairness of the recent elections.
RIOTS ONGOING
Brazilian police were seen using tear gas Sunday to try to repel hundreds of Bolsonaro supporters after they entered the Congress grounds.
The hardliners, many wearing the yellow and green Brazil flag that became a symbol of Bolsonaro’s movement – broke through police lines. They then surged onto the ramp leading into the congress building.
“Brasília has its Capitol day,” said political commentator Rodrigo Rangel referring to the second anniversary of similar riots in the U.S.
Leftist politicians voiced shock and anger as the horde advanced. “The National Congress attacked by TERRORISTS!” wrote Randolfe Rodrigues, a senator, on the social networking site Twitter.
Many protestors dispute the result of the October 30 while the former president repeatedly questioned the credibility of the country’s electronic voting system.
Sunday’s clashes came after Bolsonaro left Brazil for the U.S. state of Florida send 48 hours before the end of his mandate.
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