Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has accused former US President Donald Trump of inspiring the violent uprising by supporters of Jair Bolsonaro in Brasília earlier this month. The riots, which saw protesters storm government buildings, bore striking similarities to the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.
Lula Draws Parallels to US Capitol Attack
In a recent interview, President Lula stated that Trump's rhetoric and actions during the 2020 US election directly influenced Bolsonaro's supporters. "Trump's behaviour created a script that Bolsonaro tried to follow," Lula claimed, referring to the former Brazilian leader's refusal to accept election results.
Violence Erupts in Brasília
On January 8, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters invaded Brazil's presidential palace, Congress and Supreme Court, causing extensive damage. The riots occurred just days after Lula's inauguration, with many protesters demanding military intervention to overturn the election results.
International Condemnation
The attacks drew widespread international criticism, with many world leaders drawing comparisons to the 2021 storming of the US Capitol by Trump supporters. Lula's government has since arrested hundreds of participants and launched investigations into those who funded and organised the protests.
Political analysts suggest these events highlight growing concerns about the global spread of anti-democratic movements and the lasting influence of populist leaders like Trump and Bolsonaro.
