Roadblocks and reinforced security in Brasilia after Bolsonaro’s defeat

Numerous highways remained blocked this Monday in Brazil by truckers and other demonstrators who refused to acknowledge President Jair Bolsonaro’s narrow defeat to Lula da Silva, while police tightened security around government buildings in Brasilia “preventive”.

The police restricted the access of vehicles to the Plaza de los Tres Poderes, where the buildings of the Presidency, Congress and the Supreme Court are located, as a measure “preventive” after “identify a possible act convened there by social networks”, reported the Secretary of Security of the Federal District.

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At least 16 states have registered blockades since early Monday morning on different routes, according to the latest balance from the Federal Highway Police (PRF).

Almost a day after the official result, Bolsonaro had not pronounced on the victory of Lulawhich was nevertheless recognized by various allies of the government, in addition to numerous foreign heads of state.

Supporters of Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro block the BR-251 highway during a protest against President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who won a third term after the second round of presidential elections, in Planaltina, Brazil. (REUTERS/Diego Vara/)

After losing by a narrow margin (50.9% against 49.1%), the president confined himself to the official residence of Alvorada in Brasilia and this Monday he held meetings with ministers in Planalto, without giving statements.

In the state of Santa Catarina (south), where Bolsonaro garnered widespread support, dozens of protesters dressed in yellow T-shirts, holding Brazilian flags and banners bearing the president’s face blocked a highway with trucks and other vehicles.

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

It was unclear if any group was leading the blockades, which also hit a highway connecting Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.

Several points in the agricultural state of Mato Grosso (central-west) were also blocked. “for burned tires and vehicles”such as trucks, cars and vans, reported the Rota Oeste Concessionaire, which manages a highway in that state.

In the state of Paraná (south), a group of protesters blocked another road, after the authorities cleared at least eight other points throughout the morning, reported the PRF.

People protest during the truckers’ blockade today, on the Presidente Dutra highway, near Volta Redonda (Brazil). (EFE / Antonio Lacerda /)

Although without the support of unions or federations of the sector, several self-employed truckers have staged protests in favor of the president in recent years.

The most relevant was in 2021, when Bolsonaro he called demonstrations for Independence Day and made attacks on justice, in one of the moments of greatest institutional tension of his mandate.

Each mobilization of this sector revives the ghost of the truckers’ strike that in 2018 paralyzed the country for several days, in protest against the rise in fuel prices and other demands during the government of Michel Temer (2016-2018).

Source: Elcomercio