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Security measures in the capital Brasília have been tightened amid fears of renewed actions by radical supporters of Brazil’s ex-president Jair Bolsonaro. “A repeat of the events is out of the question,” said the head of security in the capital district, Ricardo Cappelli, on Brazilian television on Wednesday. Accordingly, the entire police force would be mobilized in case of possible incendiary acts. “The esplanade of the ministries is already closed to traffic. There will be barriers, roadblocks and checks,” Cappelli said.

Supporters of the right-wing Bolsonaro had called for a “mega demonstration to regain power” in all Brazilian capitals on Wednesday evening (local time). Many Bolsonaro supporters do not want to recognize the victory of new president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in October’s elections. Because they suspect fraud due to the narrow election results, they repeatedly call for military intervention.

On Sunday, angry supporters of Bolsonaro stormed Congress, the Supreme Court and the Palácio do Planalto government seat, causing significant damage to the buildings. It took security forces hours to regain control of the situation. Brasília’s chief of security was immediately fired and public security in Brasília was placed under federal supervision by decree. (sda/dpa)