Presidential election in Brazil | Roads blocked by supporters disappointed with the defeat of Bolsonaro

(Rio de Janeiro) Many roads remained blocked in Brazil on Monday, while security was reinforced at the end of the day in Brasilia, in anticipation of the possible arrival of demonstrators protesting against the defeat of Jair Bolsonaro in the presidential election on Sunday.

The Secretariat of Public Security of the Federal District of Brasilia (SSP/DF) indicated that it had restricted vehicle access “preventively for security reasons”, to the Three Powers Square, which brings together the Presidential Palace, the Supreme Court and the Parliament, close to the immense esplanade of the ministries, meeting place in the capital.

“The measure was taken after the identification of a possible demonstration convened at this place on social networks”, adds the police.

Highways in at least 16 states (out of 27) recorded blockages overnight and Monday morning, according to the Federal Traffic Police (PRF). It indicates that “47 points of obstruction” still remained, including the highway linking Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, the economic capital of the country.

On this axis, in Barra Mansa, a hundred kilometers from Rio, an endless line of vehicles was stationary, including many trucks.

The PRF is present, in the midst of demonstrators who clearly show their belonging to the defeated Bolsonarist camp at the polls, with posters of their leader or wearing the yellow and green jersey of the national football team.

“We will not accept losing what we have won so far, what we want is for what is inscribed on our flag to prevail: “Order and Progress”. We will not accept the situation as it is”, in reference to the election, told AFP a demonstrator, Antoniel Almeida, 45, who wears thin glasses.

Bolsonaro “was removed from his throne by force, and we are going to put him back in power with the strength that is ours, we, the group of truckers”, adds Ezequias, a 40-year-old truck driver, cap screwed on his head. , who only wished to give his first name.

On the verge of blocking, the press was threatened by the demonstrators. The journalists regrouped and chose to leave the scene.

In the state of Santa Catarina (south), where Jair Bolsonaro won wide support, a few dozen demonstrators wearing yellow shirts, Brazilian flags and posters with the face of the president blocked a highway with trucks and other vehicles.

Singing the national anthem, they were reluctant to identify themselves or speak to the press, according to an AFP photographer.

Several crossing points in the agricultural state of Mato Grosso (center-west), which voted mainly for the far-right president, were blocked in the morning “by means of burning tires and various vehicles”, such as trucks, cars or vans, announced the Concessionaria Rota Oeste, the manager of a highway in this state.

In the state of Parana (south), also predominantly Bolsonarian, the PRF said it had restored traffic to at least eight crossing points in the early hours of the morning, but that a group of demonstrators continued their actions at other places.

More than 20 hours after the official result, Jair Bolsonaro has still not recognized Lula’s victory, unlike several of his government allies and many foreign heads of state.

After losing by a narrow margin (0.9% of the 50% threshold), the president still in office until 1^er January, the date of the transfer of power, spent the day at the Planalto presidential palace in Brasilia, then returned at the end of the day to the official residence of Alvorada, noted an AFP photographer.