Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Bolsonaro supporters storm Brazilian Congress

Date:

Share post:

Supporters of Brazilian far-right ex-President Jair Bolsonaro have stormed Congress in the capital.

The dramatic scenes came a week after left-wing veteran Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s inauguration.

Supporters of Bolsonaro – who refuse to accept that he lost the election – broke through barriers and entered the building in Brasília.

Police used tear gas but failed to repel the demonstrators, some of whom smashed windows.

It is unclear if they are still in the building.

Footage uploaded to social media also showed rioters storming the nearby presidential palace and the Supreme Court.

Bolsonaro’s supporters are calling for military intervention and the resignation of da Silva – better known as Lula – who defeated his far-right rival in October’s election.

Many are drawing comparisons with the storming of the US Capitol on 6 January 2021 by supporters of Donald Trump, an ally of Bolsonaro.

Lula is currently on an official trip in São Paulo state.

In his inauguration speech, he vowed to rebuild a country in “terrible ruins”.

He decried the policies of his predecessor, who went to the US to avoid the handover ceremony. (BBC)

Thousands of supporters of former Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro storm the Congress in Brasilia. (GP)

 

Related articles

‘Trinidad won’t recognise’ Barnett as Caricom Secretary General after August

PORT OF SPAIN – Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says Trinidad and Tobago will not recognise Dr. Carla Barnett...

Ex-cricketer Butcher’s wife laid to rest

Former Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) employee and wife of former England cricketer Roland Butcher, Cheryl Butcher was buried...

‘Fast and hard’ tactic for gun crime

Hit "fast and hard" by getting indictable matters to the High Court in three months’ time. That tactic, said...

ALKALINE ANNOUNCED AS CO-HEADLINER FOR TIPSY MUSIC FESTIVAL BARBADOS 2026

Bridgetown, Barbados | May 8, 2026 - Tipsy Music Festival (TMF) is turning up the heat for 2026...