Brazil - January 2023

On 8 January, supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro stormed Congress and the seats of the executive branch and the judiciary. The government buildings were broken into and vandalized. Bolsonaro’s supporters alleged fraud in the October elections and demanded military intervention to oust President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva, who had taken office a week earlier. The Supreme Court has decided to investigate whether or not former president Bolsonaro was involved in inciting this attack, as well as the possible complicity of members of security forces in allowing it to happen. The Court also issued arrest warrants against two top security officials for their apparent collusion. Over a thousand protesters were arrested, many of whom have been charged with crimes and are now awaiting trial. 

Sources: El Pais, British Broadcasting Corporation, The Washington Post