On Sunday, the USA was one of the first countries to condemn the disturbances in Congress, in the STF and in the seat of government in the Brazilian capital. US President Joe Biden called the events “outrageous”, according to his spokeswoman. Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, tweeted: “Our support for Brazil’s democratic institutions is unwavering. The United States condemns any attempts to undermine democracy in Brazil.”
European Union heads also expressed outrage and solidarity. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the riots an “attack on democracy”. She wrote on Twitter on Monday that she fully supports new President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who was elected freely and fairly. EU Council head Charles Michel and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said almost exactly the same thing.
I strongly condemn the attack on democracy in Brazil.
This is a major concern for all of us defenders of democracy.
My full support for the president @LulaOficialwho was elected freely and fairly.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) January 9, 2023
“Completely unacceptable”
Heads of state and government of several EU countries also supported Lula. French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted in Portuguese that night: “The will of the Brazilian people and democratic institutions must be respected!” Lula can count on the unconditional support of France. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on Twitter about an “attack on democracy that cannot be tolerated”.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called for “an immediate return to democratic normality” in Brazil on Twitter. The Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, also tweeted “Italy’s solidarity with Brazilian institutions” and emphasized: “What is happening in Brazil cannot leave us indifferent.”
I strongly condemn the outrageous attacks on the executive, legislative and judicial bodies in #Brazil!
Such attacks on democratic institutions are completely unacceptable. The perpetrators must be held accountable. https://t.co/caMGnY5OrI
— Alexander Schallenberg (@a_schallenberg) January 8, 2023
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) condemned the attack in an English-language tweet “strongly”. Attacks on democratic institutions are “completely unacceptable”. Those responsible must be held accountable.
Horror and solidarity with Lula in Latin America
Political representatives of several Latin American countries also expressed their indignation. “Reprehensible and undemocratic, the coup attempt by Brazilian conservatives (…)”, wrote the president of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, on Twitter. “Lula is not alone: he has the support of progressive forces in his country, in Mexico, in the Americas and in the world.”
“The right has failed to fulfill its non-violence pact,” tweeted Colombian President Gustavo Petro. All your solidarity goes out to Lula and the people of Brazil. Argentina’s head of state, Alberto Fernandez, wrote: “My unconditional support and that of the Argentine people for Lula against this coup attempt (…).”
Chilean President Gabriel Boric spoke of a “cowardly and petty attack on democracy”. Outraged reactions also came from other Latin American countries such as Bolivia, Cuba and Uruguay, as well as from various organizations on the continent.
We are together in the Brazilian people to defend democracy and not allow #Never el regresso de los ghosts coupistas que la derecha promueve.
— Alberto Fernandez (@alferdez) January 8, 2023
Critical reactions also came from Latin American countries with right-wing conservative governments. “We regret and condemn the actions taken in Brazil that undermine democracy and institutions,” Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou wrote on Twitter. Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benitez expressed “concern” over developments in Brazil. “The path must always be respect for institutions, democracy, freedom and non-violence,” he wrote on Twitter.
Bolsonaro rejects responsibility
Bolsonaro himself condemned the attack by his radical supporters on the government district. “Peaceful demonstrations are part of democracy. However, looting and invasions of public buildings, as occurred today, are not included,” wrote the far-right former head of state on Twitter. “Throughout my mandate, I have always defended the Constitution, respected and defended the law, democracy, transparency and our sacred freedom.”
Lula accused Bolsonaro of inciting his supporters. “They used the Sunday silence when we were still forming the government to do what they did. There are several speeches by the former president in which he defends this. This is also his responsibility and that of the parties that supported him,” said Lula.
Bolsonaro denied the allegations. “I reject the allegations made by the current head of the Brazilian government without evidence,” he wrote. The far-right president lost to left-wing politician Lula in the second round in October and left office at the turn of the year.
Even before the election, however, he had repeatedly questioned the electoral system. Even after the vote, he never explicitly admitted his defeat. His supporters repeatedly blocked rural roads, camped outside barracks and demanded military intervention on behalf of the ousted head of state. The former soldier had left Brazil with his family two days before the end of his term and traveled to the United States.