By Osvaldo Cardosa
Correspondent for the Latin Press in Brazil
Convinced that if you stop evoking a bad past, someone could be condemned to repeat it, Lula reported that he would invite governors, parliamentarians and businessmen to the meeting to “remind people of it.” that democracy prevented a coup attempt in Brazil.
“I invite all the governors because on January 8th we will hold an event here in Brasilia to commemorate the people who tried to carry out a coup,” the founder of the Workers' Party announced on December 12th.
According to the former union leader, the quote serves to reassure those who are uncertain that the “democratic regime” is the only one with certainty and that “the institutions work and people have access to share in the wealth that it produces.”
Although Brazil has never been a specific target of terrorist groups due to its history, the polarization and deep hate speech that emanated from power four years ago led to acts of this kind, analysts concluded.
Radical supporters of the then defeated President Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022) enjoyed setting up camps under the pretext of peaceful protests and freedom of expression in cities and especially in Brasilia against the result of the October elections and the seizure of power by the Third Time son of the working class .
The day is marked in black
But on January 8, the mask fell, the order was given and almost seven thousand Bolsonaro extremists (supporters of the former military and appropriators of the yellow color of the flag), calling for military intervention, broke in violently and looted the headquarters of the National Congress, the Federal Supreme Court (STF) and the Planalto Palace, seat of the executive branch.
Although investigations into conduct and suspicious behavior allowed us to anticipate actions by individuals or groups with terrorist intent, police forces, particularly those of the Federal District (DF), were largely unresponsive. The coup and the disgrace had their moment.
Wisely, Lula then made the right decision when he rejected the proposal to issue a law and order guarantee, the so-called GLO, which would give the military powers in public spaces following the vandalism attacks.
He chose federal intervention in the DF, showing Brazilians that civil power would organize the state after public security forces were largely unresponsive and incapable.
To better clarify, the former union member articulated that 24 hours after “the date marked black in national history” a meeting (January 9) took place with governors or representatives of the 27 states and the preservation of democracy emerged as a phrase of order.
“In the name of defending democracy, we will not be authoritarian towards anyone, but we will not be lukewarm towards anyone.” “We will investigate and reach out to whoever financed the anti-democratic acts,” the progressive leader noted.
According to experts, by ordering the federal intervention decree in the public security of the DF, which “guarantees the free exercise of all powers in the units of the federation,” Lula was able to avoid even greater damage than that caused by the attacks. irrational actions of the putschists.
ANSWERS AND CONDEMNATIONS
The invasion triggered a response from the STF, which ordered the immediate detention of many participants in the coup episodes.
In a tense atmosphere and unclear exchanges, Parliament set up the Joint Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPMI) on May 25 to investigate anti-democratic events.
The first board meeting showcased the heated atmosphere that characterized the upcoming CPMI meetings, with heated exchanges between grassroots and opposition MPs.
Such a panel had 180 days to investigate the coup and could submit its findings to the Attorney General's Office to provide evidence for the criminal trial.
The CPMI's final report published by Senator Eliziane Gama on October 17 classified the actions as the work of Bolsonarism.
The 1,333-page text accuses 61 people, including the former ruler, of trespassing on public property in order to incite anti-democratic episodes.
“As will be seen in the following pages, Brazilian democracy has been under attack: crowds have been manipulated with hate speech; “Digital militiamen were used to spread fear, disqualify opponents and encourage attacks on the electoral system,” the content said.
He denounces that a coup was rehearsed and that ultimately desperate acts and movements to seize power were encouraged. “January 8 is the work of Bolsonarism,” he notes.
“Contrary to what the Bolsonaristas defend, January 8 was not a spontaneous or disorganized movement: it was a pre-conceived, planned and prepared mobilization,” the letter said. Regarding Bolsonaro, Congresswoman Gama proposes to charge him with four crimes: association to commit a crime, attempt to abolish the rule of law by force, attempt to overthrow a legally elected government and use of measures to prevent the free exercise of political rights.
In addition to the right-wing extremist politician, the people directly or indirectly involved in the crimes include General Walter Braga Netto, candidate for vice president in Bolsonaro's electoral formula, as well as the former minister and then Minister of Public Security of the Federal District Anderson Torres.
With the document in the prosecutor's office, the conspiracy of January 8th will now be investigated through criminal means and it must be clarified whether the order of the investigations of the controversial legislative commission is adhered to.
Bolsonaro, who denies any connection to the coup attempt, was banned for eight years and for the second time on October 31.
The Supreme Electoral Court (TSE) considered it appropriate to initiate two lawsuits within the framework of the so-called Electoral Judicial Investigation and an electoral representation, which again question Bolsonaro's eligibility.
The judges convicted the former paratrooper of abuse of political power committed during the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of independence on September 7, 2022.
That day, the then president took part in the official parade on the Esplanade of Ministries in Brasília, then walked to a loudspeaker truck a few meters away and gave an election speech.
He later traveled to Rio de Janeiro and attended an Army and Air Force presentation on Copacabana Beach. At the same place he gave a new speech with campaign content.
In June, the TSE sentenced the former head of state to an eight-year ban (until 2030) for holding a meeting with foreign ambassadors in July 2022 at the Alvorada Palace (official residence of the president), during which he questioned without evidence: the electronic one Ballot boxes and the electoral system.
Fears against the former military member are increasing again after the public prosecutor's office has now seized the video sent by the former president after the coup. The recording was deleted by Bolsonaro two hours after it was published on January 10th.
arb/ocs