Biden Denounces ‘Assault On Democracy’ In Brazil As More Than 400 Arrested Following Jan 6-Style Attack

Topline

Supporters of former far-right Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro stormed the country’s capital building in Brasilia on Sunday, a week after President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was inaugurated, leading to dramatic clashes with police and scenes reminiscent of the U.S. Capitol riots two years ago.

Supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro clash with security forces as they raid the National … [+] Congress in Brasilia, Brazil.

Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Key Facts

Thousands of supporters of Brazil’s former far-right president stormed and trashed Brazil’s Congress, the Presidential Palace, and the Supreme Court buildings as they sought military intervention to oust the newly elected president and reinstate Bolsonaro to office.

According to CNN Brasil, police in Brazil’s Federal District have arrested more than 400 people allegedly involved in the riots as of Monday morning.

On Sunday evening, Lula visited the scene of the violence and vowed that all those responsible will be found and punished.

Earlier in the day, the Brazilian president decried the attacks as “barbaric” and blamed his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro’s “fascist” supporters for it.

Bolsonaro, who is currently in Florida, took to Twitter to condemn the violence but dismissed Lula’s allegations that he stoked the violence by repeatedly questioning the legitimacy of the recent elections.

The riots in Brazil drew strong condemnation from leaders across the world with President Joe Biden calling the incident “outrageous,” adding it is an “assault on democracy and on the peaceful transfer of power.”

Crucial Quote

Speaking to CNN about the incident, Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) said: “Right now Bolsonaro is in Florida and he’s very close to Donald Trump. He should be extradited to Brazil. In fact, it was reported that he was under investigation for corruption and fled Brazil to the United States. He’s a dangerous man, they should send him back to his home country, Brazil”

What To Watch For

Brazilian Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes has ordered the demolition or removal of all the camps set up by Bolsonaro supporters across the country within 24 hours along with the unblocking of all roads and buildings. The judge has also ordered major social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok to block accounts spreading “anti-democratic propaganda,” Reuters reported.

Key Background

Lula, leader of the left-wing Workers’ Party, beat Bolsonaro by less than two points in the election on October 30, returning to power 20 years after he first took office and making him the first candidate to unseat an incumbent president since Brazil reinstated democracy in 1985. He has promised “unity and reconstruction” and vowed to fight increasing income inequality. Lula attempted to run in the 2018 election against Bolsonaro, but was unable to do so as he was jailed on corruption charges. His conviction was overturned in 2019 and Lula was released from prison, paving the way for his historic comeback.

Tangent

Bolsonaro, nicknamed the “Trump of the Tropics,” spread baseless conspiracies in the months leading up to the election that the process was wrought with fraud, while also claiming that government employees had the authority to change the election results. He fled Brazil for the U.S. ahead of Lula’s inauguration to avoid handing over power. His supporters for months have engaged in destructive protests, including blocking roads and lighting vehicles on fire.