The Federal Highway Police (PRF) said truckers were blocking highways at 271 points, partially or completely, as part of protests that spread to 23 of Brazil’s 26 states after Bolsonaro lost to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in a runoff. . elections on Sunday. Police said another 192 barricades had been cleared. Judge Alexandre de Moraes called on the PRF to lift all blockades, organized mainly by truckers, a key constituency of the Bolsonaro government that has benefited from lower diesel costs. Moraes was quickly joined by six other judges in a virtual hearing in the early hours of Tuesday as they formed a majority on the 11-member court to uphold his decision, imposing fines on PRF director general Silvinei Vasques if he did not act to clear the roadblocks. WATCHES | Scenes and sounds from the blockade locations:
Brazilian truckers block roads to support Bolsonaro
Truckers in Brazil are blocking roads or highways in several states to show support for Jair Bolsonaro, who lost Sunday’s second round presidential election to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro has not conceded the election.
Bolsonaro is expected to talk about a vote on Tuesday
Some truckers posted videos calling for a military coup to stop Lula, a leftist who served as Brazil’s president from 2003 to 2010, from taking office. Bolsonaro, who has neither conceded the race nor invited the president-elect, will not contest his election defeat and will address the nation later on Tuesday, Communications Minister Fabio Faria told Reuters. The presidential speech may also defuse the protests of his supporters. The blocked highways included major roads used to transport grain from the rural states to the ports, as well as a major road connecting the two largest cities. Brazil’s supermarket lobby has cited supply problems and called on Bolsonaro to resolve the situation before store shelves begin to empty.
Transitional talks between officials begin
The main access road to Sao Paulo’s Guarulhos International Airport, the country’s busiest, was temporarily blocked by dozens of protesters and 25 flights were cancelled, the airport said. But Governor Rodrigo Garcia said the highway was reopened Tuesday morning. “We honest Brazilians are against the return of this gang that looted state coffers,” said truck driver Vando Soares, opposed to the return of Lula, whose 2003-2010 presidency was marked by widespread corruption. “We are not moving until this bandit is stopped from taking over as president.” Although Bolsonaro has remained tight-lipped about his election defeat, his political allies and associates have already begun reaching out to Lula’s camp to discuss a transition. Some have publicly stated that the Bolsonaro government should respect the election result. Federal highway police officers stand by on Tuesday as supporters of President Jair Bolsonaro block the BR-251 highway in Planaltina, Brazil, during a protest against the results of the second round of elections. (Diego Vara/Reuters) Lula’s victory represents a stunning comeback for the 77-year-old former metallurgist, who ruled Brazil from 2003 to 2010 but then spent time in prison on corruption convictions that were later overturned. Environmentalists and sustainable investors cheered Lula’s victory and his commitment to protect the rainforest and restore Brazil’s leadership on climate change.
World leaders congratulate Lula
Even before taking office on Jan. 1, President-elect Lula will send representatives to next month’s COP27 United Nations climate summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, allied environmentalist Marina Silva said Monday. The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) announced that Lula won 50.9 percent of the vote, compared to 49.1 percent for Bolsonaro, who becomes the first Brazilian incumbent to lose a presidential election. “I will govern for 215 million Brazilians, and not just for those who voted for me,” Lula said at his campaign headquarters. “We are one country, one people, one great nation.” Scenes from Sunday’s election: Argentine President Alberto Fernandez flew to Sao Paulo to meet Lula on Monday and hailed “a new era for the history of Latin America. An era of hope and a future that begins today.” Several world leaders sent their congratulations to Lula for the result. “The people of Brazil have spoken. I look forward to working with @LulaOficial to strengthen cooperation between our countries, deliver results for Canadians and Brazilians, and advance shared priorities – like protecting the environment,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said afterward labeling the results. US President Joe Biden described the election as “free, fair and credible”.
