Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Brazil to demand justice for rioters. Who attacked government buildings in support of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro.
The crowd chanted “Not our pardon!”, calling for those responsible to be brought to justice. The country marched late Monday to show support for democracy. Which came under attack on Sunday.
The rallies come as Bolsonaro’s status faces growing scrutiny. With calls for President Joe Biden to remove him from the United States.
Bolsonaro said late Monday that he had been admitted to a hospital in Florida. Posting a photo on Twitter from his hospital bed. In an interview with CNN Brasil, Bolsonaro said. He was “doing well” and was expected to be discharged in the coming days. After being hospitalized with “abdominal pain”.
He suggested that he might return to Brazil sooner than he had planned.
“I came (to the United States) to stay until the end of the month (January). But I want to push my return,” he said, adding. That doctors in Brazil had been familiar with treating pain associated with stab wounds since 2018. .
Bolsonaro reportedly flew to the United States two days before his term ends. On Jan. 1, avoiding the inauguration of his leftist rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as president.
Lula vowed to prosecute those involved in the attack on Brazil’s Congress. Supreme Court and presidential palace. And accused Bolsonaro of encouraging the attack. Which carried unmistakable echoes of riots in the US Capitol two years ago.
Speaking later to the country’s governors, Lula. Who returned to work at the vandalized presidential palace. Stepped up criticism of Brazil’s military for not acting against people. Who have been camping outside their gates for months.
“People were calling for a coup outside the barracks, and nothing was done. No general has lifted a finger to tell them they can’t do it.” Lula said, accusing some security forces of colluding with the rioters.
Brazilian police said on Monday they had detained. An estimated 1,500 people involved in the uprising. Some of whom were arrested in a crackdown on pro-Bolsonaro protest camps in the capital Brasilia.
But still the large crowd tried to keep up the pressure for those involved to face retribution.
On Monday afternoon, protesters chanted “No Amnesty!” According to The Associated Press, at the Law College of the University of Sao Paulo. Demanding that the instigators of the riots be brought to justice. It soon became a rallying cry for thousands across Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, visible on posters and banners.
“These people need to be punished. The people who ordered this need to be punished. The people who paid for it need to be punished.” Said Betty Amin, a 61-year-old therapist, stretching back the word “democracy.” His shirt, said Sao Paulo’s main boulevard news agency.
“They do not represent Brazil.
Many drew parallels between Sunday’s attack on the US Capitol. By supporters of former President Donald Trump and January 6, 2021. Some are also paying tribute to the long-standing relationship between Bolsonaro. His family and Trump, as well as some of his former strategists.
Biden, who is facing pressure from several Democratic lawmakers to expel Bolsonaro. Spoke in a phone call with Lula on Monday. He confirmed Lula’s victory and voiced. “Unwavering support” for Brazil’s democracy, according to a joint statement released. By the White House on Monday evening.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters earlier in the day. That the United States had not received a formal request. The Brazilian government to remove Bolsonaro from Florida.
Asked whether Bolsonaro entered the U.S. on an A-1 visa. Meant for foreign diplomats or heads of state. State Department spokesman Ned Price on Monday declined to comment on Bolsonaro’s status. But said such a visa would be revoked if the person using it had one. Change location.
The person must apply for a change of status or leave the country, he said.
