Lula decrees federal intervention in the Federal District in the face of invasions in Brazil

Brasilia, January 8 (RHC)-- President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva today decreed federal intervention in the Federal District (DF) in the face of invasions by followers of former president Jair Bolsonaro to the headquarters of three branches of government in Brazil.

During his urgent speech, Lula affirmed that there was a lack of security in the Federal District and promised that the terrorists will be found and punished.  The measure will be in effect until January 31.

The purpose of the intervention is to "put an end to the serious compromise of public order" in the Federal District, marked by acts of violence and invasion of public buildings.

Such disposition will be coordinated by Ricardo García, current executive secretary of the Ministry of Justice.

According to the decree, Garcia will be subordinate to the President of the Republic and not to district regulations that conflict with the measures necessary for the execution of the intervention.

"Those hooligans, who we can call fascists, fanatics did what was never done in the history of this country," denounced the founder of the Workers Party (PT).

He insisted that what happened is unprecedented in the history of the nation.  "These people will have to be punished.  We are going to find out the financing of those vandals who went to Brasilia. We will find out all of them and they will pay with the force of law for this irresponsible gesture," he stressed.

Also on the day, PT leader, Gleisi Hoffmann, held the DF government responsible for veiled threats about invasions of institutions in this capital, carried out this Sunday by radical supporters of Bolsonaro.

"The DF government was irresponsible in the face of the invasion of Brasilia and the National Congress. It is a crime announced against democracy, against the will of the ballot box and for other interests," Hoffmann posted on her social networks.  She pointed out that Governor Ibaneis Rocha and his Security Directorate "are responsible for what happens".

To shouts of "general cleansing" and the sound of Brazilian anthems, a huge group of Bolsonaristas invaded this Sunday the Esplanade of the Ministries to demonstrate against the results of the second round of elections of October 30, won by Lula.

The extremists, who are calling for military intervention and are described by TV political commentators as terrorists, entered the National Congress under a hail of tear gas bombs thrown by Military Police officers.

After breaking into the Parliament, those dissatisfied with Lula's electoral victory and assumption of power entered the Federal Supreme Court.

Similarly, in the Planalto Palace, a group of radicals reached the fourth floor and attacked the bastion of the Executive Power.