Brazil: Bomb Warning in Brasilia Ahead of Lula’s Inauguration (Video)

STORY: In the Brazilian capital of Brasilia, a defuse squad was called to an operation near the hotel of President-elect Lula da Silva on Tuesday (local time). A backpack found there triggered a bomb warning. MPs, firefighters and security officers patrolled the cordoned off area around the hotel where Lula was staying. The luggage ended up containing only personal items. But the incident shows how tense the situation is just days before Lula takes office. At Christmas, the police announced that they had foiled a bomb attack and arrested a man. He had connections to supporters of President Jair Bolsonaro who do not recognize the result of the last election.
Political tensions in the capital have prompted Lula’s team to step up security protocols for Sunday’s inauguration, said the country’s future Justice Minister Flavio Dino. “The arrestee testified that shooting clubs were planned as a cover for the possession of rifles, pistols and bombs. We will provide the President-elect with the first draft of a decree guaranteeing more effective control of these clubs. Anyone who is actually a sports shooter, is legitimate. But if you don’t, you have to be re-registered. In the years since 2019, the number of shooting sports clubs has doubled.” Lula will take office on January 1st. In the October elections, he narrowly defeated far-right incumbent Bolsonaro.