Bolsonaro lukewarmly condemns the assault on Congress: “Vandalism, like that of the left, is beyond the rule”

The former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonarowho is in the United States, has mildly failed the attempted coup promoted by his radical sympathizers, who invaded the headquarters of the three powers in Brasilia.

“Peaceful demonstrations, within the law, are part of democracy. However, vandalism and invasions of public buildings like those that occurred today, as well as those practiced by the left in 2013 and 2017, escape the rule,” the former president said on his social networks.

The retired Army captain, who left power on January 1, has repudiated in his message “the accusations, without evidence” issued by the current head of state, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvawho reproached his predecessor for “stimulating” the coup acts of his most radical supporters.

“Throughout my tenure, I have always been within the four lines of the Constitution and defending the laws, democracy, transparency and our sacred freedom,” said the leader of the Brazilian extreme right. Bolsonaro, who still does not openly admit defeat In the elections on October 30, he traveled to the United States two days before Lula’s inauguration without an official return plan.

Since the elections were held until his departure for Orlando, the now ex-governor locked himself in the official residence and minimized his public acts, while its more radical supporters blocked several of the main highways of the country or promoted serious disturbances in Brasilia on the eve of Lula’s inauguration.

This Sunday, thousands of those radicals, who have spent weeks asking at the gates of the barracks for an intervention by the Armed Forces to overthrow Lula and return Bolsonaro to power, invaded and destroyed the headquarters of Congress, the Presidency and the Supreme Court.

The coup protesters caused extensive damage inside these buildings and were only dispersed by security forces four hours later. “Almost 300” of them have been arrested so far, according to Justice Minister Flávio Dino.

For his part, Lula promised to identify and punish the “fascist vandals” who “destroyed everything in their path” in Brasilia, and decreed federal intervention in the security area of ​​the Brazilian capital until January 31. The measure means that Brasilia’s police forces will now be under the direct control of the central government.

At least 300 detainees

At least 300 supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro have been detained for the coup attempt this Sunday. “300 detainees. The investigations continue until the last member is identified,” reported the Civil Police of Brasilia, which in the previous balance had reported 170 arrests in flagrante.

The institution has indicated that the detainees “are being identified” and their statements are being taken within the process that “investigates all the criminal acts that occurred” this Sunday afternoon in the Brazilian capital.

Earlier, the Minister of Justice, Flávio Dino, warned in a press conference that the number of detainees for the attempted coup against Lula could increase “in the next few hours.”

The minister has also reported that they have seized “40 buses” that arrived in the Brazilian capital in the last few hours with hundreds of radical Bolsonarists and that they identified the “financiers” who made these trips possible from different parts of the country.

Likewise, he denounced that “there are still people on the Internet talking about continuing terrorist acts” and, in this sense, he anticipated that there will be police operations against these individuals. “This is terrorism! It’s a coup!” He exclaimed.

Lula inspects the scene

The president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has arrived in Brasilia at dawn to inspect the serious damage caused by Bolsonaro radicals in the headquarters of the three powers of the country, in a frustrated attempt to overthrow him from power.

The progressive leader saw first-hand the trail of destruction left by supporters of ex-governor Jair Bolsonaro at the Planalto Palace, the seat of government, which he took office on January 1, according to television images.