BRASILIA: On January 8, at least 3000 Jair Bolsonaro supporters entered the Brazilian Congress, the presidential mansion, and the Supreme Court.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who barely beat Bolsonaro last year, ordered a federal security intervention in Brasilia to last until January 31 after capital security officers were overrun by the invaders.
"All eyes need to be on Brazil right now. Democracy is completely under attack. Bolsonaro supporters are invading Congress, the presidential palace, and realms of power in Brazil. Unbelievable scenes", a tweet read by a user.
Lula attacked Bolsonaro harshly and bemoaned the lack of security in the city during a press conference.
Lula, who was visiting Sao Paulo state on business, referred to the vandals as "fanatical Nazis, fanatical Stalinists, fanatical fascists, or whatever you want to call them." During her interview with the media, Lula stated, "All these people who perpetrated this will be caught and they will be punished."
Vice President of the United States Joe Biden condemned the action, calling it an assault on democracy, and demanded a smooth change of power in Brazil.
"I condemn the assault on democracy and on the peaceful transfer of power in Brazil. Brazil's democratic institutions have our full support and the will of the Brazilian people must not be undermined. I look forward to continuing to work with @LulaOficial", a tweet read by the United States president.
After losing the most disputed Brazilian elections to his leftist adversary Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Jair Bolsonaro launched an election challenge the previous year. Supporters of Bolsonaro have asked for "special verification" of the election results from the nation's Superior Electoral Court (TSE).
Votes from specific voting machines, which according to the Liberal Party, were tampered with during the second round, have been requested to be thrown out by the court. The petition may now be amended by the court to include the first round of voting within the next 24 hours.
On January 1, Lula began his third term as president of Brazil, becoming the 39th leader of the nation.
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