Premium Only Content
SEE THE SUMMARY OF THE CHAOS THAT TOOK OVER BRASILIA IN THE LAST 24 HOURS
Brazil’s National Congress, other sites raided by pro-Bolsonaro protesters opposing Lula victory
The demonstrations come a week after leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was sworn
Bradford Betz By Bradford Betz | Fox News
A chaotic scene unfolded in Brazil's capital Sunday as hundreds of supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed Congress, the Supreme Court, and the presidential palace calling for a military intervention to overthrow President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Portuguese news agency LUSA reports the protesters attempted to storm Brasilia's Planalto Palace, the official workplace of the Brazilian president. President Silva was reportedly not on site.
Supporters of Brazilian former President Jair Bolsonaro clash with the police during a demonstration outside the Planalto Palace in Brasilia on January 8, 2023.
Supporters of Brazilian former President Jair Bolsonaro clash with the police during a demonstration outside the Planalto Palace in Brasilia on January 8, 2023. (EVARISTO SA/AFP via Getty Images)
Footage making the rounds on social media shows throngs of protesters – many wearing the green and yellow colors of the national flag – ransacking the building, with shattered glass and what appears to be teargas visible throughout.
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the United States "condemns any effort to undermine democracy in Brazil."
"President Biden is following the situation closely and our support for Brazil's democratic institutions is unwavering," he tweeted. "Brazil's democracy will not be shaken by violence."
BRAZIL’S LULA INAUGURATED AS NEW PRESIDENT AFTER BOLSONARO REPORTEDLY FLED TO FLORIDA HOME OF MMA FIGHTER
The incidents, which recalled the Jan. 6 invasion of the U.S. Capitol, come just a week after leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was sworn in on Jan. 1.
Bolsonaro supporters have been protesting against Lula's electoral win since Oct. 30, blocking roads, setting vehicles on fire, and gathering outside military buildings, and asking the armed forces to intervene.
The former president, who flew to the U.S. ahead of Lula's inauguration, has not commented on Sunday's events. The social media channels of his three lawmaker sons also were silent.
At about 5:30 p.m. local time, less than three hours after the storming, security forces seemed to be regaining control of the presidential palace and Supreme Court's surroundings, while thousands of protesters remained around Congress and on its roof.
Federal District Gov. Ibaneis Rocha confirmed on Twitter that he had fired the capital city's head of public security, Anderson Torres.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues, and much more.
-
LIVE
Jerry After Dark
8 hours ago3 Point Contest | Presented By Ghost Energy
3,971 watching -
2:24:56
Kim Iversen
6 hours agoRussia Threatens To NUKE Ukraine | RFK Jr Called Science’s True Voice By Former CDC Chief
63.9K67 -
1:16:12
Savanah Hernandez
4 hours agoCorrupt Democrats attempt to stop Trump’s plan to fix America
20.7K17 -
53:12
Glenn Greenwald
5 hours agoImprisoned For Journalism: Jeremy Loffredo On His Detention In Israel, Censorship & More | SYSTEM UPDATE #368
72.8K58 -
DVR
Man in America
8 hours agoTrump, Elon, CBDCs, Digital Prison & the Great Taking w/ James Patrick
11.1K3 -
LIVE
I_Came_With_Fire_Podcast
7 hours agoSPECIAL LIVE FIRE (w/ Aaron Praeger)
1,618 watching -
49:18
PMG
21 hours ago $0.01 earned"Biden Regime Trying to Trigger WW III Before Trump Term Begins, and Ballots Still Being Counted?"
8.81K1 -
DVR
Flyover Conservatives
12 hours agoWhile Trump Claimed Victory, Guess What They Were Doing Behind the Scenes... - Mel K | FOC Show
16.6K -
DVR
Adam Does Movies
7 hours ago $0.05 earnedIs Dwayne Johnson A Bankable Star Anymore? + TONS Of New Movie Trailers - LIVE!
14.7K1 -
3:00:44
Tate Speech by Andrew Tate
15 hours agoEMERGENCY MEETING EPISODE 91 - CASE DISMISSED
354K303