Lula pledges to punish Congress invaders

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has vowed to punish supporters of the country’s ex-leader, Jair Bolsonaro, after they stormed Congress.

These dramatic scenes, which saw hundreds of protestors wearing Brazil flags and shirts, took place just one week after Mr da Silva was inaugurated.

The Supreme Court was also attacked by supporters of the ex-far-right leader and the presidential palace was surrounded.

Brasilia was reordered by the national guard to restore order.

The president has also directed the closing of the central part of the capital, including the main avenue that houses government buildings, for 24 hours. Local media reports that security forces have retaken control of the area. Officials have yet to confirm.

Bolsonaro repeatedly denied that he had lost October’s elections and left the country last week to take part in inaugural ceremonies. He would have handed over the iconic presidential sash.

The violence occurred while the 67 year-old suspect is in Florida.

Lula, also known as Lula da Silva said there was “no precedent” in the history of Brasilia for the scenes he saw. He called the violence the “acts by vandals and fascists”.

He also took aim at security personnel, accusing them of “incompetence and bad faith” for failing to prevent demonstrators from accessing Congress.

“You’ll see it in the pictures that they [police officers] “They are guiding people on a walk to Praca dos Tres Powers,” the he stated. “We will find out who the financiers are of these vandals that went to Brasilia, and they all will pay with the force law.”

O Globo in Brazil shared video that showed officers having fun and taking photos as protestors occupied the congressional campus.

Joe Biden, US President, tweeted: “I condemn this assault on democracy. Brazil’s democratic institutions are supported by our full support. The will of the Brazilian people cannot be undermined.

Protesters broke windows while others reached Senate Chamber, where they jumped onto seats and used the benches as slides.

On social media, footage shows protesters taking a policeman’s horse and attacking it outside the building. The crowd had been dispersed earlier when police used tear gas.

Although it is not clear if protesters are still inside the building, footage from national media shows police taking dozens of protesters into custody outside the presidential palace.

Another suspect, whose hands were tied behind the backs of their bodies, was also seen being led out.

Protesters have been gathering on the lawns right in front of parliament since dawn, as well up and down the Esplanada avenue (lined with government ministries and national memorials) for the past kilometre.

Security appeared tight with roads closing for approximately a block around parliament area, and armed police pairs protecting every entry into the area.

BBC reported that there were approximately 50 officers present at the scene on Sunday morning local.

When reporters approached them, demonstrators were quick to defend themselves.

Lima, a 27 year-old production engineer, stated that “We must re-establish Order after this fraudulent election.”

She told AFP news agency, “I’m here to history, for my girls.”

Others in the capital were outraged at the violence, and they said that the attack was a sad day for their country.

Daniel Lacerda (21), stated that he voted for Bolsanaro, but that he disagrees with their actions. “If you disagree with the president, you should simply say it and move on. You shouldn’t hold protests or commit violence like they are doing.”

Many are making comparisons to the storming at the US Capitol by Donald Trump supporters, an ally of Mr Bolsonaro.

Bolsonaro supporters want military intervention and Lula’s resignation. The populist leader previously supported the country’s brutal military dictatorship, which governed it for over 20 years.

Bolsonaro supporters set up camps in Brazilian cities, some outside of military barracks. Because his most passionate supporters want the military intervene to ensure that good elections are held, which they claim were stolen,

It appeared that their movement was being curtailed by Lula’s inauguration. Brasilia camps had been demolished and there had been no disruption on his inauguration day.

Sunday’s scenes proved that such predictions were not accurate.

Flavio Dino, Justice and Public Security Minister, called the invasion “absurd attempts to impose”. [the protesters’] Will be enforced.”

He wrote, “It won’t prevail,” on Twitter.

Latin America’s leaders have condemned violence:

• Chilean President Gabriel Boric claimed that Brazil had his “full support” in the face of this cowardly, vile attack upon democracy.

• Colombian President Gustavo Petro said “fascism [had] “It was decided to stage an coup”.

• Marcelo Ebrard (Mexican Foreign Minister) stated that Mexico had “full support” for President Lula’s administration.

Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat for foreign policy, said that he was shocked by the attack. He added that Brazil’s democracy would prevail over violence and extremism.

French President Emmanuel Macron also stated that Brazil’s “will and democratic institutions must be respected”, and pledged France’s “unfailing assistance” to Lula.

Lula is currently on an official trip in São Paulo state. In his inaugural speech, he pledged to rebuild a nation in “terrible ruin”.