(OTTAWA) The Government of Canada condemns the violence displayed in Brazil on Sunday by thousands of supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who expressed their bitterness over the electoral defeat of their candidate.
Protesters stormed places of power in Brazil like the Palace of the National Congress, the Supreme Court building and the Presidential Palace, a week after the swearing-in ceremony for the new president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. They ignored the barricades, climbed on the roofs, broke windows and invaded the three buildings.
Some have called for military intervention to bring ex-President Bolsonaro back to power.
In a statement shared Sunday evening on social media, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote that “respect for the democratic will of the people is paramount in any democracy, including Brazil. Canada strongly condemns the violent behavior that has been displayed and we reaffirm our support for President Lula and the democratic institutions of Brazil.”
At a press conference on Sunday, President Lula accused Jair Bolsonaro of having encouraged this coup by those he described as “fanatic fascists”. He also signed an executive order to allow the federal government to control the security forces in the Federal District.
Since Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s election victory on October 30, people believed to be supporters of Jair Bolsonaro have blocked roads, set fire to vehicles and gathered outside barracks to persuade the military to intervene.
Many of them claim that the election results are fraudulent or unreliable.