Authorities In Brazil Seek To Punish Pro-Bolsonaro Rioters
The protesters were seeking military intervention to either restore Jair Bolsonaro to power or oust the newly inaugurated Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
LEARN MOREAs Brazilian Officials Disperse Rioters, Bolsonaro Remains In Florida
Former president Jair Bolsonaro is in Florida as his country deals with riots brought on by his supporters, who want him restored to power.
As Brazilian Officials Disperse Rioters, Bolsonaro Remains In Florida
Orlando Sentinel / AP
January 9, 2023
Brazilian officials began dismantling the tent city where supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro had been camping in protest since he lost the election in October.
The justice ministry says more than 1,200 people were detained in the aftermath of an attack Sunday on government buildings by Bolsonaro supporters.
Thousands of rioters wore the green and yellow Brazilian flag as they broke windows and trashed offices in Congress, the Supreme Court and the presidential palace in scenes strikingly similar to the Jan. 6 Washington insurrection led by supporters of ousted president Donald Trump.
AP
Many said they wanted Bolsonaro restored to power.
Current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has signed an emergency decree putting federal authorities in charge of the capital. He accuses Bolsonaro of encouraging the uprising with false claims of election fraud and vowed to punish so-called "fascist fanatics" and the people who financed them.
There are questions why security forces were unprepared for an assault that had been discussed for at least two weeks on platforms like Telegram and Twitter. Lula said there was "incompetence or bad faith" on the part of the police, and they would be investigated.
Just before Lula's inauguration, Bolsonaro flew to Florida, where he's been seen at a resort in Orlando.
Texas Democratic Rep. Joaquin Castro says Bolsonaro used Trump's playbook to encourage his supporters.
"Bolsonaro should not be in Florida," Rep. Castro said. "The United States should not be a refuge for this authoritarian who has inspired domestic terrorism in Brazil. He should be sent back to Brazil."
Bolsonaro denies the accusations. On Twitter, he said peaceful protests are part of democracy, but the invasion of public buildings and vandalism crossed the line.
Pro-Bolsonaro Rioters Storm Brazil's Top Government Offices
U.S. President Joe Biden told reporters that the riots in Brazil were “outrageous.”
LEARN MORE
Brazil's Bolsonaro applies for 6-month US visitor visa
The former president applied for the visa amid an investigation into whether he had any role in inciting an uprising in Brazil's capital.
By Eraldo Peres / APProtests move into Peru's capital, met by tear gas and smoke
The protests have been marked by Peru's worst political violence in more than two decades.
By Martin Mejia / AP3:08
How political unrest escalated into violence in Brazil
Thousands of supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro broke through barriers to protest the inauguration of the country's new president.
By Eraldo Peres / APTop Stories
GoodRx to pay penalty to FTC; feds claim it shared health information
The FTC is pushing consumers to check their privacy settings after alleging GoodRx shared health information with advertisers without user consent.
By AP3:27
Why is the Super Bowl halftime show such a big deal?
Despite a huge TV audience, the NFL doesn’t pay performers — though it does cover their expenses.
By Matt York / AP0:45
Mount Washington to reach wind chills of -100F, as cold as Mars
The Mars Curiosity rover has recorded nighttime temperatures in recent days of 105 degrees below zero. Temperatures don't often get that low on Earth.
By Robert F. Bukaty / AP