Cover image: Members of social movements demonstrate in defense of democracy in Sao Paulo, Brazil, January 9, 2023. NELSON ALMEIDA / AFP
On the evening of Sunday January 8, hundreds of supporters of former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, opposed to the return to power of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, invaded Congress, the Federal Supreme Court and the presidential palace in Brasilia. . Absent at the time of the events, the Head of State, in office for a week, denounced « vandals [et] of the fanatical fascists ». After several hours of silence, Mr. Bolsonaro simply mentioned invasions that “infringe” democracy.
More than ten thousand strong, the military police were well aware of the risks. But this force, acquired by Mr. Bolsonaro, did nothing to prevent the sacking of the institutions of Brasilia. A few hours before the attack, when thousands of Bolsonarists converged on the capital, the national intelligence agency was already transmitting worrying alert bulletins to the authorities of the capital.
What followed showed an obvious connivance on the ground between the forces of order and the putschists. Military police from Brasilia were filmed escorting demonstrators to Three Powers Square and giving them access to the halls of Congress. Some took selfies and chatted with supporters of Mr. Bolsonaro. No rubber bullets were fired. The military police contented themselves with tear gas and a little pepper spray.
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