‘Lost a battle but not the war’: Bolsonaro leaves Brazil ahead of Lula’s inauguration
Outgoing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has left the country for the United States, avoiding the inauguration of incoming President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Reuters
Brasilia,
FINAL WORDS
Before takeoff, Bolsonaro delivered an emotional final address on social media in which he ran through the highlights of his time in office, sought to defend his legacy, and tried to inspire his followers into keeping up the fight against Lula.
Some of his base have refused to accept Lula's victory, believing Bolsonaro's baseless claims that the October election was stolen. That has contributed to a tense atmosphere in the capital Brasilia, with riots and a foiled bomb plot last week.
READ: Brazil election body rejects Bolsonaro’s demand to invalidate votes, fines $4.3 million
Bolsonaro labeled the bomb plot a "terrorist act" for which there was no justification. He sought to distance himself from George Washington Sousa, the man who confessed to making the bomb, and who told police that Bolsonaro's call to arms inspired him to build an arsenal of guns and explosives.
"The man had ideas that are not shared by any citizen, but now they classify him as a 'Bolsonarista'," the president said.
Officials say President Bolsonaro may have left Brazil for Florida
By — Carla Bridi, Associated Press
By — Diane Jeantet, Associated Press
Outgoing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has left the country for the United States, avoiding the inauguration of incoming President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Reuters
Brasilia,
UPDATED: Dec 31, 2022
Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro attends an inauguration ceremony for new judges of Brazil's Superior Court of Justice in Brasilia, Brazil December 6, 2022.
Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro attends an inauguration ceremony for new judges of Brazil's Superior Court of Justice in Brasilia, Brazil December 6, 2022.
(Photo: Reuters File)
By Reuters:
By Reuters:
President Jair Bolsonaro left Brazil for the United States on Friday, 48 hours before his leftist rival President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was set to take office, saying in a teary goodbye speech he had "lost a battle but not the war."
Bolsonaro, who has barely spoken since losing the election, has not confirmed where he is going, but plane tracking data suggests he is heading to Florida, where his security staff are already in place.
He has repeatedly said he would not hand over the presidential sash to Lula at Sunday's inauguration, breaking with Brazil's democratic tradition.
He may also face legal risks from remaining in Brazil as his presidential immunity expires when Lula takes office.
Vice President Hamilton Mourao is now acting president, his press office told Reuters, confirming Bolsonaro had left the country. But Mourao will not pass the presidential sash to Lula either, a spokesperson said, raising questions about who will hand over the ceremonial ribbon to the leftist.
Website FlightAware, which monitors air traffic, showed the presidential plane departed Brasilia shortly after 2pm local time, bound for Orlando, Florida.
"I am in flight, back soon," Bolsonaro was quoted as saying by CNN Brasil. His press office did not respond to a request for comment.
The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The US embassy in Brasilia referred questions about Bolsonaro's trip to the Brazilian president's office.
Bolsonaro, who has barely spoken since losing the election, has not confirmed where he is going, but plane tracking data suggests he is heading to Florida, where his security staff are already in place.
He has repeatedly said he would not hand over the presidential sash to Lula at Sunday's inauguration, breaking with Brazil's democratic tradition.
He may also face legal risks from remaining in Brazil as his presidential immunity expires when Lula takes office.
Vice President Hamilton Mourao is now acting president, his press office told Reuters, confirming Bolsonaro had left the country. But Mourao will not pass the presidential sash to Lula either, a spokesperson said, raising questions about who will hand over the ceremonial ribbon to the leftist.
Website FlightAware, which monitors air traffic, showed the presidential plane departed Brasilia shortly after 2pm local time, bound for Orlando, Florida.
"I am in flight, back soon," Bolsonaro was quoted as saying by CNN Brasil. His press office did not respond to a request for comment.
The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The US embassy in Brasilia referred questions about Bolsonaro's trip to the Brazilian president's office.
FINAL WORDS
Before takeoff, Bolsonaro delivered an emotional final address on social media in which he ran through the highlights of his time in office, sought to defend his legacy, and tried to inspire his followers into keeping up the fight against Lula.
Some of his base have refused to accept Lula's victory, believing Bolsonaro's baseless claims that the October election was stolen. That has contributed to a tense atmosphere in the capital Brasilia, with riots and a foiled bomb plot last week.
READ: Brazil election body rejects Bolsonaro’s demand to invalidate votes, fines $4.3 million
Bolsonaro labeled the bomb plot a "terrorist act" for which there was no justification. He sought to distance himself from George Washington Sousa, the man who confessed to making the bomb, and who told police that Bolsonaro's call to arms inspired him to build an arsenal of guns and explosives.
"The man had ideas that are not shared by any citizen, but now they classify him as a 'Bolsonarista'," the president said.
By — Carla Bridi, Associated Press
By — Diane Jeantet, Associated Press
World Dec 30, 2022
SAO PAULO (AP) — The office of Brazil’s vice president says he has become acting president, an indication that President Jair Bolsonaro has left the country and will break tradition by skipping the inauguration Sunday of his political nemesis, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The press office of Bolsonaro’s vice president, Gen. Hamilton Mourão, confirmed to journalists he was acting as president. The handoff of power to the vice president occurs whenever Brazil’s president travels abroad.
The Friday edition of the official gazette said that Bolsonaro is headed to Florida, and that several officials were given permission to accompany “the future ex-president” to Miami between Jan. 1 and Jan. 30, to offer “advice, security and personal support.”
According to flight tracking websites, the Brazilian military’s official airplane left the capital, Brasilia, around 2 p.m. for Orlando.
READ MORE: Brazil’s Lula pledges ‘big fight’ against deforestation at COP27
In Bolsonaro’s absence, it is not clear who will hand over the presidential sash to Lula on Sunday. Mourão’s press office said that is not part of the vice president’s duties.
Bolsonaro has remained mostly silent since losing the election Oct. 30. But a few hours before reports of his departure, he addressed the country as president on his social media.
At times on the verge of tears, the far-right politician said he wasn’t able to find a legal alternative or enough support to change the course of history and prevent his departure from office.
“How difficult it has been to stay quiet for two months, working to find alternatives,” he said. “If you’re upset, put yourself in my place. I gave my life to this country.”
Bolsonaro also condemned a recent bomb threat in Brasilia, saying it was not the time to attack people, but rather to try to build an opposition against the future government.
“We lost a battle, but we will not lose the war,” he said. “The world does not end on Jan. 1.”
A crowd of supporters stood outside the presidential residence in a pouring rain listening for a sign from their leader, and many were left disappointed. Some shouted the words “traitor” and “coward.” One woman cried.
Since his electoral loss, some of Bolsonaro’s most die-hard supporters have been camping outside military buildings in Brasilia and elsewhere in the country, asking for the armed forces to intervene. Many believed election results were fraudulent or unreliable, and hoped Bolsonaro would somehow remain in power.
Others have blocked roads and highways, or set buses and trucks on fire. Police are also investigating the attempted invasion of the federal police’s headquarters in Brasilia earlier this month, and said most of the 32 individuals they are looking for have had contacts with the Brasilia pro-Bolsonaro encampment.
Jeantet reported from Rio de Janeiro. Associated Press photojournalist Eraldo Peres in Brasilia contributed to this report.
SAO PAULO (AP) — The office of Brazil’s vice president says he has become acting president, an indication that President Jair Bolsonaro has left the country and will break tradition by skipping the inauguration Sunday of his political nemesis, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The press office of Bolsonaro’s vice president, Gen. Hamilton Mourão, confirmed to journalists he was acting as president. The handoff of power to the vice president occurs whenever Brazil’s president travels abroad.
The Friday edition of the official gazette said that Bolsonaro is headed to Florida, and that several officials were given permission to accompany “the future ex-president” to Miami between Jan. 1 and Jan. 30, to offer “advice, security and personal support.”
According to flight tracking websites, the Brazilian military’s official airplane left the capital, Brasilia, around 2 p.m. for Orlando.
READ MORE: Brazil’s Lula pledges ‘big fight’ against deforestation at COP27
In Bolsonaro’s absence, it is not clear who will hand over the presidential sash to Lula on Sunday. Mourão’s press office said that is not part of the vice president’s duties.
Bolsonaro has remained mostly silent since losing the election Oct. 30. But a few hours before reports of his departure, he addressed the country as president on his social media.
At times on the verge of tears, the far-right politician said he wasn’t able to find a legal alternative or enough support to change the course of history and prevent his departure from office.
“How difficult it has been to stay quiet for two months, working to find alternatives,” he said. “If you’re upset, put yourself in my place. I gave my life to this country.”
Bolsonaro also condemned a recent bomb threat in Brasilia, saying it was not the time to attack people, but rather to try to build an opposition against the future government.
“We lost a battle, but we will not lose the war,” he said. “The world does not end on Jan. 1.”
A crowd of supporters stood outside the presidential residence in a pouring rain listening for a sign from their leader, and many were left disappointed. Some shouted the words “traitor” and “coward.” One woman cried.
Since his electoral loss, some of Bolsonaro’s most die-hard supporters have been camping outside military buildings in Brasilia and elsewhere in the country, asking for the armed forces to intervene. Many believed election results were fraudulent or unreliable, and hoped Bolsonaro would somehow remain in power.
Others have blocked roads and highways, or set buses and trucks on fire. Police are also investigating the attempted invasion of the federal police’s headquarters in Brasilia earlier this month, and said most of the 32 individuals they are looking for have had contacts with the Brasilia pro-Bolsonaro encampment.
Jeantet reported from Rio de Janeiro. Associated Press photojournalist Eraldo Peres in Brasilia contributed to this report.
Bolsonaro followers arrested in coup d'état probe
One of the Bolsonaristas arrested calls himself a “defender of the homeland.”
At least eight raids were carried out Thursday and four followers of outgoing President Jair Bolsonaro were arrested for their alleged involvement in a plot to prevent President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from taking office this coming Sunday.
“The crimes under investigation are those of qualified damage, arson, criminal association, violent abolition of the rule of law and coup d'état, whose combined maximum penalties amount to 34 years in prison,” said the Federal Police (PF) in a statement after taking into custody four Bolsonaristas following 32 search and seizure warrants in eight states under orders from the Supreme Federal Court (STF).
On December 24 one of Bolsonaro's followers linked to a group of opponents camped outside the army headquarters in Brasilia confessed to making a bomb to trigger a military uprising.
Thursday's deployment was linked to the Dec. 12 incidents when PF premises were attacked and cars set fire following the arrest of a pro-Bolsonaro indigenous leader, it was reported.
In the meantime, Lula's relatives were advised not to leave their hotel out of security concerns.
According to Folha de Sao Paulo, four people have been arrested in Rio de Janeiro, Rondônia, and Brasília. One of the Bolsonaristas arrested in Brasilia was identified as Klio Hirano, who calls himself a “defender of the homeland” and participated in camps in front of the Army barracks in Brasília.
Also arrested was Átilla Reginaldo Franco de Melo, 41. He campaigned for Bolsonaro in October and even stopped by the Army Headquarters camp in Brasília, along with his wife.
STF Justice Alexandre De Moraes temporarily suspended all authorizations for citizens to bear arms in the Federal District until January 2. Under Bolsonaro, Brazil opened up to people buying guns to arm themselves in self-defense.
Brazil is going through a week marred with uncertainty. Press reports kept announcing that Bolsonaro would fly to Florida for New Year's Eve not to take part in Lula's inauguration. The incumbent head of state has denied all those rumors, which he dubbed as “fake.”
At least eight raids were carried out Thursday and four followers of outgoing President Jair Bolsonaro were arrested for their alleged involvement in a plot to prevent President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from taking office this coming Sunday.
“The crimes under investigation are those of qualified damage, arson, criminal association, violent abolition of the rule of law and coup d'état, whose combined maximum penalties amount to 34 years in prison,” said the Federal Police (PF) in a statement after taking into custody four Bolsonaristas following 32 search and seizure warrants in eight states under orders from the Supreme Federal Court (STF).
On December 24 one of Bolsonaro's followers linked to a group of opponents camped outside the army headquarters in Brasilia confessed to making a bomb to trigger a military uprising.
Thursday's deployment was linked to the Dec. 12 incidents when PF premises were attacked and cars set fire following the arrest of a pro-Bolsonaro indigenous leader, it was reported.
In the meantime, Lula's relatives were advised not to leave their hotel out of security concerns.
According to Folha de Sao Paulo, four people have been arrested in Rio de Janeiro, Rondônia, and Brasília. One of the Bolsonaristas arrested in Brasilia was identified as Klio Hirano, who calls himself a “defender of the homeland” and participated in camps in front of the Army barracks in Brasília.
Also arrested was Átilla Reginaldo Franco de Melo, 41. He campaigned for Bolsonaro in October and even stopped by the Army Headquarters camp in Brasília, along with his wife.
STF Justice Alexandre De Moraes temporarily suspended all authorizations for citizens to bear arms in the Federal District until January 2. Under Bolsonaro, Brazil opened up to people buying guns to arm themselves in self-defense.
Brazil is going through a week marred with uncertainty. Press reports kept announcing that Bolsonaro would fly to Florida for New Year's Eve not to take part in Lula's inauguration. The incumbent head of state has denied all those rumors, which he dubbed as “fake.”
If prosecuted, Bolsonaro faces between three and six months in prison for unlawful conduct
Brazil's Federal Police (PF) has found evidence proving that President Jair Bolsonaro might have committed the crime of spreading false information about the Covid-19 pandemic when he linked the use of vaccines to the development of the AIDS virus
In the final report submitted to Superior Federal Court (STF) Justice Alexandre De Moraes, the investigators believe Bolsonaro should be held accountable for encouraging people not to wear masks.
The investigation was opened at the request of the Senate's Covid Parliamentary Investigative Committee (CPI) after a live broadcast in which Bolsonaro falsely linked vaccines' use to the development of the AIDS virus. Bolsonaro also claimed that most victims died from pneumonia caused by the use of a mask.
The PF requested De Moraes' authorization in August to indict Bolsonaro and take his statement, but the magistrate remained silent. The PF had also requested the Office of the Solicitor General to hear Bolsonaro but to no avail. Bolsonaro's incitement to crime and a misdemeanor for “causing alarm, announcing disaster or non-existent danger” were signaled at that time. Both findings were maintained in the final report released Wednesday.
Bolsonaro was summoned to testify earlier this month but he chose to remain silent.
The PF's final document was delivered to De Moraes, who must now forward it to the Attorney General's Office for a final decision on whether to charge Bolsonaro or not. If prosecuted, Bolsonaro faces between three and six months in prison for unlawful conduct.
Brazil's Federal Police (PF) has found evidence proving that President Jair Bolsonaro might have committed the crime of spreading false information about the Covid-19 pandemic when he linked the use of vaccines to the development of the AIDS virus
In the final report submitted to Superior Federal Court (STF) Justice Alexandre De Moraes, the investigators believe Bolsonaro should be held accountable for encouraging people not to wear masks.
The investigation was opened at the request of the Senate's Covid Parliamentary Investigative Committee (CPI) after a live broadcast in which Bolsonaro falsely linked vaccines' use to the development of the AIDS virus. Bolsonaro also claimed that most victims died from pneumonia caused by the use of a mask.
The PF requested De Moraes' authorization in August to indict Bolsonaro and take his statement, but the magistrate remained silent. The PF had also requested the Office of the Solicitor General to hear Bolsonaro but to no avail. Bolsonaro's incitement to crime and a misdemeanor for “causing alarm, announcing disaster or non-existent danger” were signaled at that time. Both findings were maintained in the final report released Wednesday.
Bolsonaro was summoned to testify earlier this month but he chose to remain silent.
The PF's final document was delivered to De Moraes, who must now forward it to the Attorney General's Office for a final decision on whether to charge Bolsonaro or not. If prosecuted, Bolsonaro faces between three and six months in prison for unlawful conduct.
No comments:
Post a Comment