“The closure of highways across Brazil is affecting people’s freedom of movement,” Bolsonaro said in a video posted on Twitter. “It’s in our constitution. You have to respect the rights of other people on the road – not to mention the damage to our economy. I would like to appeal to you: clear the streets.”
Highway police had registered 150 roadblocks in various regions of Brazil on Wednesday afternoon, Brazilian news portal “G1” reported. According to their own statements, the police have already lifted 688 blockades. Bolsonaro’s supporters do not want to accept the election victory of his challenger Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
In the first public statement after his election defeat, Bolsonaro expressed his understanding for the protests on Tuesday. “The current demonstrations are the result of outrage and a sense of injustice at the way the electoral process has gone,” the right-wing leader said. He had previously sowed doubts about the electoral system. However, he never provided any proof of that.
Delivery problems for meat and fruit
Major roads are essential for supplying the country, as most goods in Brazil are transported by truck. The railway network is not well developed. The National Confederation of Industry (CNI) had warned of supply bottlenecks and fuel shortages if the blockades lasted longer. According to the Association of Supermarkets, there have already been supply problems in some states, especially with fruits, vegetables and meat.
“Other demonstrations in squares and public places are part of the democratic game,” Bolsonaro said on Wednesday. He did not comment on the content of the protests in different regions of Brazil. Numerous Bolsonaro supporters demonstrated in front of various barracks on Sunday against the second-round victory of left-wing ex-president Lula against right-wing incumbent Bolsonaro.
Hitler salute at protests
According to the Brazilian newspaper Folha de S. Paulo, they called for military intervention in at least 18 states and in key cities such as Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Brasília. “It cannot be that Lula got so many votes after corruption scandals and prison,” said a participant in Rio from the German news agency. “It must have been a scam.”
Bolsonaro supporters gave the Nazi salute during protests in the south of the country. Hundreds of protesters stretched out their arms in front of a barracks in the village of São Miguel do Oeste in a fascist salute and sang the national anthem, the Globo television channel reported.
The prosecutor of the state of Santa Catarina, a stronghold of Bolsonaro, has launched an investigation. Glorifying Nazi rule and using Nazi symbols is also a criminal offense in Brazil.
Bolsonaro, himself a reserve captain, has repeatedly expressed his sympathy for the military dictatorship (1964-1985) in Brazil. During his tenure, he brought many serving and former officers into the government and administration. His radical supporters repeatedly called for a military coup against the judiciary and parliament. However, the armed forces never responded.
(SDA)