Far-right protestors start to disband as Lula inauguration nears

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will take the oath of office before Congress and become Brazil’s new president. Seven kilometers from the Esplanade of Ministries, hundreds of far-right Jair Bolsonaro supporters remain at a protest camp — praying for a higher power to prevent the transition of power while urging the Armed Forces to stage a coup.

But after former President Jair Bolsonaro left the country earlier this week, many protestors have gotten their things together and have left. Those who remain are as radical as ever. The Brazilian Report was told to “be careful” when walking around the area, as “tempers are running high.”

“Everything is quiet around here because the Army is already on the streets. The streets have been taken, and the thief will not climb the ramp,” said one protestor. Climbing the ramp of the Planalto Palace, the president’s office, is a gesture that symbolizes the inauguration of a new head of state.

The groups that insist on staying take turns using impromptu power strips to charge their cell phones and find out the latest updates on far-right conspiracies. 

“The presidential plane has already returned. The president will show up any minute. He let that happen, and now he’s going to take back power,” said one protestor, glued to his screen. “We are waiting for more information. But it will happen. Stay safe,” he assured.

Many people exiting the camp were vocal in their disappointment with Mr. Bolsonaro, who left for Florida on Friday. One group called him a “traitor of the homeland” and said “the military will hold him accountable for leaving.”

Earlier this week, law enforcement tried to dismantle the campsite, but the operation was aborted after the Army did not allow a police operation to happen, as the surroundings of Army garrisons are under the jurisdiction of the Armed Forces.

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