Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has denounced “depredations and invasions of public buildings” in Brasilia, after his supporters stormed key government buildings on Sunday.
Police say they have since evacuated crowds from the country’s Supreme Court, the presidential palace and the Congress building.
Bolsonaro tweeted that “peaceful demonstrations, in accordance with the law, are part of democracy”.
“However, the depredations and invasions of public buildings as they have occurred today, as well as those practiced by the left in 2013 and 2017, are beyond the rule,” he continued. “Throughout my tenure, I have always acted in accordance with the Constitution, respecting and defending laws, democracy, transparency and our sacred freedom.”
A bit of context: While Bolsonaro said he would cooperate in the peaceful transition of power, he also refused to explicitly concede electoral defeat in October.
The election took place in a tense and polarized political climate in Brazil, struggling with high inflation, limited growth and growing poverty.
In the weeks since Bolsonaro’s loss, thousands of his supporters have gathered in military barracks across the country, calling on the military to intervene as they claim, without any evidence, that the election was stolen.
