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Lula condemns 'barbarism' and criticises police
Lula, the Brazilian president, has given a televised address, in which he called the attack in Brasilia “barbarism” and warned that everyone involved would be “found and punished”.
He also lashed out at police officers at the scene on Sunday, condemning their lack of action when the crowds turned violent.
“The police didn’t do anything at all. They just let the protesters in,” he said.
In his impassioned speech, the president was visibly angry.
He said that there was no precedent for what happened in Brasilia on Sunday.
He called those behind the storming of congress “fanatic fascists” who represented “everything that’s abominable” in politics.
The president said that they would be found and punished “with all the force of the law”.
He repeatedly said that “these fanatics have done something that’s never before been done in this country”.
We’ll bring you more from his speech as we get it.
Security forces have arrived in Brasilia following the assault by pro-Bolsonaro supporters.
Here are reactions from world leaders following, what one called, a “cowardly and vile attack on democracy”.
Gabriel Boric, Chilean president:
The Brazilian government has our full support in the face of this cowardly and vile attack on democracy.
Gustavo Petro, Colombian president:
All my solidarity to @LulaOficial and the people of Brazil. Fascism has decided to stage a coup. ... It is urgent for the OAS (Organization of American States) to meet if it wants to continue to live as an institution.
Pedro Sanchez, Spanish prime minister:
All my support to President @LulaOficial and to the free and democratically elected institutions of the Brazilian people. We categorically condemn the assault on the Brazil’s Congress and make a call for the immediate return to democratic normality.
Marcelo Ebrard, Mexico’s foreign minister:
In the wake of the events in Brazil, we express Mexico’s full support for President Lula’s administration, elected by popular will. We reject any attempt against democratic institutions.
Santiago Cafiero, Argentine foreign minister:
“We express our solidarity with @LulaOficial and raise our voices in defense of Brazil’s democracy.
Ecuador’s foreign relations ministry
Ecuador condemns the events against institutionality in Brazil and reiterates its unrestricted support for democracy and the legitimately elected government.
Portugal’s foreign minister has pinned responsibility for the scenes on Jair Bolsonaro, according to Reuters
Portugal's foreign minister Joao Gomes Cravinho tells RTP he believes, "without a doubt", that "Bolsonaro has responsibility". "His voice is heard by these anti-democratic demonstrators," he adds.
— Catarina Demony (@CatarinaDemony) January 8, 2023Bolsonaro supporters storm political buildings
Hello, and welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of events in Brazil.
Hundreds of hardcore supporters of Brazil’s former president, Jair Bolsonaro, have stormed the country’s congress, presidential palace and supreme court in a stunning security breach that was immediately compared to the 6 January invasion of the US Capitol by followers of Donald Trump in 2021.
We’ll be bringing you all the latest news and reaction throughout the evening.
English (US)