Heavily armed soldiers and police surrounded the tent camp in front of the Armed Forces Headquarters in Brasilia on Monday morning (local time), as can be seen in the pictures. 1,200 preliminary arrests were reported, and Bolsonaro supporters were taken to the federal police headquarters in around 40 buses. The Supreme Court had previously ordered the camp to be evacuated within 24 hours.
Previously, the judicial authorities had initiated investigations into the background of the storm under high pressure. The National Congress, the Supreme Court and the seat of government Palacio do Planalto were affected by the storm. Head of state Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva made serious allegations against his predecessor Bolsonaro.
Lula accuses Bolsonaro of incitement
Lula, who inspected the damage in Brasilia on Sunday, for which he traveled from Sao Paulo, accused Bolsonaro of inciting his supporters. “They used the Sunday silence when we were still forming the government to do what they did. There are several speeches by the former President in which he advocates this. That’s also his responsibility and the responsibility of the parties that supported him,” Lula said.
In an initial reaction, Bolsonaro distanced himself from the incidents: “Peaceful demonstrations are part of democracy. However, looting and raids on public buildings, as they took place today, are not included,” wrote the ex-head of state on Twitter. “Throughout my tenure, I have always upheld the Constitution, respected and defended the law, democracy, transparency and our sacred freedom.”
Bolsonaro: “I reject the allegations”
Bolsonaro denied the allegations. “I reject the allegations made by the current head of the Brazilian government without evidence,” he wrote. The ex-military had left Brazil with his family two days before the end of his term in office and had traveled to the USA.
Brasilia’s security chief fired
Like the ex-president himself, Bolsonaro’s allies initially distanced themselves from the incidents. “Today is a sad day for the Brazilian nation. We cannot agree to the storming of the National Congress,” Bolsonaro’s Liberal Party (PL) leader Valdemar Costa Neto said in a video released on Sunday.
Ibaneis Rocha, governor of the federal district of Brasilia and also an ally of the far-right ex-president, apologized to his successor in a video. He described the attackers as “vandals” and “terrorists”. And Rocha drew personal consequences: He fired the capital’s security chief, Anderson Torres. It is worth noting that Torres served as Justice Minister under Bolsonaro – he is considered his henchman.
Federal District Governor Suspended
Shortly thereafter, Brasilia’s governor Rocha himself was suspended from office for 90 days by Chief Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the governor had done nothing to ensure public safety despite clear indications of violent actions. “The impeachment is therefore reasonable, appropriate and proportionate to ensure public order and end the repeated criminal practice.”
The attorney general’s office had previously asked the Supreme Court to issue arrest warrants for Torres and all other officials responsible for “acts and omissions” that led to the riots. Lula placed public safety in the capital under federal supervision by decree.
Hundreds of arrests
The federal police meanwhile reported at least 300 arrests – 30 people had been taken into custody, the news portal G1 reported, citing the Supreme Court. The Attorney General’s Office called for comprehensive clarification of the masterminds and those responsible for the attacks. Pictures showed police officers leading several men and women out of Congress with their hands tied behind their backs.
The police looked completely taken by surprise
Thousands of Bolsonaro supporters had previously stormed the government district. The police seemed completely taken by surprise. The demonstrators quickly tore down the roadblocks and pushed the officials back. Soon they were standing on the roof of the congress waving Brazilian national flags. Shortly thereafter, they also invaded the Supreme Court and the seat of government.
Inside the buildings, the rioters vented their hatred of the elected left-wing president. They knocked over chairs and desks, smashed windows, damaged works of art and scrawled slogans on the walls. One attacker even took the office door of federal judge Alexandre de Moraes, who was particularly hated by Bolsonaro supporters, as a trophy.
The situation was only under control again after hours
It took hours for the security forces to bring the situation back under control. The military police advanced with cavalry squadrons and armored vehicles to the Square of the Three State Powers in the center of the capital. Special forces used tear gas, helicopters circled over the government district. Around 230 suspects were arrested, according to Justice Minister Flavio Dino.
Especially at the beginning of the riots, the police did not cut a good figure. Numerous supporters of Bolsonaro have been camping in front of the armed forces’ headquarters for days. When around 4,000 other supporters of the ex-president arrived in buses in the capital on Saturday and Sunday and moved to the government district, they were even escorted by officials. Police officers took selfies with the demonstrators and filmed cell phone videos, as seen on television.
Former head of state Bolsonaro apparently still has many sympathizers in the police force. In any case, when the mob stormed the government district, only a few officials opposed it.
Bolsonaro supporters storm buildings in government district
Thousands of supporters of far-right former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro have stormed the parliament, the Supreme Court and the presidential palace in Brazil. Special forces of the military police only managed to clear the building after several hours. There were around 300 arrests.
“Announced Crime Against Democracy”
The head of the ruling Workers’ Party (PT), Gleisi Hoffmann, previously raised serious allegations against those responsible in the capital Brasilia: “The government of the federal district was irresponsible in the face of the invasion in Brasilia and in the National Congress,” Hoffmann wrote on Twitter. “It was an announced crime against democracy, against the will of the voters and for other interests. The governor and his security minister, a Bolsonaro supporter, are responsible for everything that happens.”
Memories of Washington
The scenes in Brasilia are reminiscent of the riots at the seat of the US Congress in Washington on January 6, 2021. At that time, supporters of Donald Trump stormed the Capitol, where the Republican’s election defeat against Joe Biden was to be authenticated. The crowd violently entered the building, five people died.
Lost in runoff
Bolsonaro lost to Lula in the runoff election in October and left office at the turn of the year. Even before the election, he had repeatedly cast doubt on the electoral system. However, he never presented any evidence of this. Even after the vote, he never explicitly acknowledged his defeat. His supporters repeatedly blocked country roads, camped out in front of barracks and called for military intervention in favor of the deposed head of state.
