MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 09th January, 2023) Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has condemned the storming of government buildings in Brasilia carried out by his supporters.
Protesters temporarily seized the National Congress building, as well as Palacio do Planalto, one of the official palaces of the Presidency, and the Supreme Court building in the Brazilian capital on Sunday. Police managed to regain control of the buildings at around 4 p.m. local time on Sunday (19:00 GMT), according to Brazilian media reports.
"Peaceful lawful demonstrations are part of democracy. However, looting and seizure of public buildings as occurred today, as well as those practiced by the left in 2013 and 2017, do not fall under this rule," Bolsonaro said on Twitter following the unrest.
He added that throughout his mandate, he always respected the law and maintained transparency.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has called the attacks on government buildings in Brasilia barbaric and ordered the use of federal forces to restore order in the capital. The federal intervention will last until January 31, according to Lula's decree that was read out by him on Sunday from Sao Paulo.
On Sunday, federal and military police helicopters and armored vehicles were used to restore order in Brasilia, as well as stun and gas grenades, and pepper gas, according to Brazilian media reports.
Governor of the Federal District Ibaneis Rocha said that over 400 people have been detained.
Lula has promised to find and punish those responsible for the Sunday riots, as well as those who financed the unrest.
The EU, the US, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as well as a number of Latin American leaders, have all condemned the storming of government buildings in Brasilia.
"It is time for an urgent OAS ( Organization of American States) meeting if it wants to continue to exist as an institution and apply the democratic charter," Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on Twitter, expressing solidarity with Lula and the people of Brazil and calling Sunday violence a strike of fascism.
Argentine President Alberto Fernandez also expressed support for Lula, saying on Twitter that the Sunday events were a coup attempt.
On January 1, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was sworn in and started his third term as president of Brazil. He won the presidential election in the runoff on October 30, defeating Bolsonaro by a close margin, prompting countrywide protests from supporters of the former Brazilian president.
