Brazil Ramps Up Security for Lula Inauguration Amid Concerns Over Right-Wing 'Terrorists'
Common DreamsDec 28, 2022
On Wednesday, Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes issued a ruling suspending registered gun owners from carrying firearms and ammunition in and around the country's capital until Jan. 2 — the day after President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's inauguration.
This decision means that any registered gun owner caught in Brasília with a firearm from Wednesday evening through Sunday can be prosecuted for illegally carrying a weapon. It does not pertain to active members of the armed forces, police officers, and private security guards.
Brazilian authorities have no other option than strengthening security measures to ensure a peaceful inauguration ceremony as outgoing Bolsonaro has emboldened his radical supporters by not conceding to Lula and formally contesting his loss. After attempting to invade police headquarters, it would not be a surprise if far-right terrorists and rioters were plotting an attack on the inauguration to create chaos.
It is outrageous that protesters who have been legitimately and peacefully rallying near military bases for months against Brazil's pro-Lula establishment are being treated like terrorists. If judicial measures were to be taken, it should be against the convicted criminal Lula — who had been sentenced to over two decades in prison before the top court overturned it to allow him to run for president this year.
There's a 1% chance that Jair Bolsonaro will successfully stage a coup by January 2, 2023, according to the Metaculus prediction community.