Bolsonaro supporters clash with police in Brazil as he still refuses to concede defeat
RIO DE JANEIRO — Supporters of outgoing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro clashed with police, setting fire to several vehicles and allegedly attempting to invade the federal police’s headquarters in Brasilia, the capital.
Images of chaos as a small number of protesters roamed the city — many of them wearing the yellow and green of Brazil’s flag, which have come to symbolize Bolsonarismo — circulated on local television channels and social media Monday.
Brasilia’s public security secretariat said in a statement that clashes broke out after police carried out an arrest warrant. Earlier Monday, Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes had ordered the temporary arrest of Jose Acacio Serere Xavante, who is suspected of participating in anti-democratic protests.
Since Bolsonaro lost his reelection bid to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Oct. 30, many of his supporters have gathered outside military barracks across the country refusing to concede defeat and asking for the armed forces to intervene. Earlier Monday, the nation’s electoral authority awarded Lula and his vice presidential running mate an official certification, sealing their victory.
Bolsonaro, who has repeatedly claimed that the nation’s electronic voting system is prone to fraud and has not conceded defeat, told supporters Friday that his political future was in their hands.
“The depredation and attempted invasion of the federal police building in Brasilia is unacceptable,†said Flavio Dino, incoming justice and public security minister in Lula’s administration.
Four years ago, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s political future was in tatters. On Sunday, voters in Brazil chose him once again to lead their country.
The leader of the opposition in the Senate, Randolfe Rodrigues, said some protesters, whom he called “terrorists,†had congregated around the hotel where Lula is staying.
Police in full gear were rushed to the federal police headquarters as backup, as officers had to use stun grenades and rubber bullets, local media reported. Police also blocked several avenues and streets across Brasilia.
Protesters elsewhere set at least one bus on fire and were seen gathering metal barriers.
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