Supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro breached security barriers set up by the armed forces on Sunday, entering the country’s Congress building, Supreme Court and President Planalto, according to images shown in Brazilian media government.
The president of the interim Senate, Veneziano Vital do Rogo, told CNN Brasil that video showed large crowds in the Brasilia capital walking up the ramp leading to the Congress building, where they reached the green room outside the chamber of the lower house of Congress.
Other media showed Bolsonaro supporters entering the Supreme Court and the presidential palace, CNN Brasil reported the arrival of riot police and Brazil’s armed forces
The violations come a week after the inauguration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who returned to power after a 12-year hiatus after defeating Bolsonaro in the Oct. 30 runoff.
Supporters of Bolsonaro – who left Brazil before the inauguration and are currently in the US – have camped out in the capital since then. Justice Minister Flavio Dino on Saturday authorized the armed forces to barricade and guard the parliament building as Bolsonaro supporters continue to exist.
Neither house of Congress is currently in session. According to CNN Brazil, although President Lula is currently not in the building, the team formed for the newly elected president was working in the palace when the protesters entered. Officials at the Planalto Palace are waiting for the Air Force to evacuate them from the building, CNN Brasil reported.
Dino, who said he was at Justice Ministry headquarters, issued a statement on Twitter condemning the actions of Bolsonaro supporters, saying “this ridiculous attempt to impose will by force will not succeed.”
Federal Regional Security Minister Anderson Torres – and the former justice minister of Bolsonaro’s government – likewise called the scenes “regrettable”, adding that he had ordered “immediate measures to restore order in the center of Brasília”. .
Workers Party chairwoman Gleisi Hoffman called the breaches a “crime against the democratic declaration” and “against the will of the polls”.