According to US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, the US opposes any attempt to undermine democracy in Brazil.
Washington: On Sunday, US Vice President Joe Biden called the situation in Brazil “outrageous,” after supporters of far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed the country’s Congress, presidential palace, and Supreme Court.
After capital security personnel were first overpowered by the invaders, leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who beat Bolsonaro in the most contentious election in a generation last year, declared a federal security intervention in Brasilia lasting until Jan. 31.
According to US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, the US opposes any attempt to undermine democracy in Brazil.
The violence was reminiscent of supporters of former President Donald Trump storming the US Capitol two years ago.
Thousands of yellow-and-green-clad protestors ran wild in the city, capping months of turmoil following Brazil’s Oct. 30 election. Bolsonaro, a Trump devotee who has yet to admit loss, spread the erroneous premise that Brazil’s electronic voting system was prone to fraud, sparking a violent movement of election doubters.
“President Biden is constantly monitoring the situation, and we remain committed to Brazil’s democratic institutions.
Violence will not destabilise Brazil’s democracy “Sullivan stated this on Twitter. On Twitter, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the US joined Lula in calling for a quick halt to the attacks.
The violence recalled the two-year-old US Capitol takeover by supporters of US President Donald Trump.
“I condemn this heinous attack on #Brazil’s government buildings incited by demagogue Bolsonaro’s reckless contempt for democratic ideals,” said US Senator Bob Menendez, head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Twitter.
“Trump’s legacy has poisoned our globe for two years. It is critical to protect democracy and punish bad actors accountable.”
Bolsonaro went to Florida 48 hours before his term expired and did not attend Lula’s inauguration.
Rep. Joaquin Castro, a Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said CNN that Bolsonaro “essentially adopted Trump’s playbook to empower domestic terrorists to attempt to take over the country” and is “a dangerous man.”
US Vice President Joe Biden calls the situation in Brazil “outrageous.”
