Roadblocks in Brazil to protest Lula’s election victory

Supporters of the over-elected President Bolsonaro have set up roadblocks in 26 states to protest the results of the presidential elections in Brazil. International news agencies report that many truck drivers are among the demonstrators.

According to the Federal Road Police, there were 321 protests on the partially or completely closed roads. Truck drivers are important supporters of Bolsonaro, who, among other things, lowered gas prices.

The drivers are also a powerful force and can flatten the country. A large part of freight transport in Brazil takes place on the road. In some places, demonstrators called for a military coup.

Most of the blockades have been in the state of Santa Catarina, where Bolsonaro is popular, and in Mato Grosso do Sul, a large agricultural state. The roadblocks are feared to cause problems for food exports from Brazil, which is one of the world’s largest food producers.

Truck drivers block roads in several places in the country:

Other main roads were also blocked, such as a road between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. According to the Folha de S. Paulo newspaper, riots broke out here and there. Bus passengers also became unwell because they were stuck in traffic. Emergency vehicles could not continue due to roadblocks.

In the capital, Brasilia, police blocked access to the central government square after Bolsonaro supporters allegedly planned to occupy the Supreme Court Square.

Left-wing ex-president Lula won the second round of the presidential election on Sunday with 50.9 percent of the vote. The right Bolsonaro came to 49.1 percent. He has not yet responded to the results, but his response is expected later today.

There are fears that Bolsonaro will not accept the result. In the past, Bolsonaro sowed doubts about the legitimacy of the elections. He did not provide any evidence of this.

Source: NOS