Yesterday in Brazil, supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro staged an attack on the presidential palace, congress, and supreme court, reminiscent of the Jan 6 MAGA coup attempt here two years ago. Their goal was to re-take power in the country after Bolsonaro was defeated in the October election by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. At this point, it appears that the putschists have failed.
President Biden was quick to denounce the coup. But signs of involvement from right-wing forces in the US are everywhere. Bolsonaro has been living in Florida since his election defeat where he has been in close contact with fellow US fascist coup plotters like former Trump advisor Steve Bannon. Bannon has already been convicted of contempt of Congress after refusing to testify before the January 6th Committee about his role in the 1/6 coup.
Bannon has boasted that he is directly advising the former president’s son, Brazilian congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro. The younger Bolsonaro has echoed Bannon’s calls for his father not to accept defeat.
Bolsonaro was Trump’s protégé in Brazil, and Trump has been a consistent supporter of Bolsonaro's attempt to overturn the election and return to power.
“‘Tropical Trump’ as he is affectionately called, has done a GREAT job for the wonderful people of Brazil,” Trump said on his social media outlet. “When I was President of the U.S., there was no other country leader who called me more than Jair.” (Washington Post)
Weekend Quotables
Pres. Biden
I condemn the assault on democracy and on the peaceful transfer of power in Brazil. Brazil’s democratic institutions have our full support and the will of the Brazilian people must not be undermined. I look forward to continuing to work with @LulaOficial — On Twitter
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
"I condemn today's assault on Brazil's democratic institutions. The will of the Brazilian people and the country's institutions must be respected. I am confident that it will be so. Brazil is a great democratic country." — Reuters
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador
"The coup attempt by the Brazilian conservatives urged on by the leadership of oligarchic power, their spokespersons, and fanatics is reprehensible and undemocratic. Lula is not alone, he has the support of the progressive forces of his country, Mexico, the American continent, and the world." — Reuters
Venezuelan President Nicola Maduro
"We categorically reject the violence generated by Bolsonaro's neo-fascist groups which have assaulted Brazil's democratic institutions. Our support for @LulaOficial and the Brazilian people who will surely mobilize in defense of peace and their president." — Reuters
A.O.C.
We must stand in solidarity with @LulaOficial’s democratically elected government… The US must cease granting refuge to Bolsonaro in Florida. — On Twitter
Columnist Frank Cerabino
We need to set a quota on deposed wannabe dictators relocating to Florida. If not, we could get a reputation here of being the Elba of the Americas. — Palm Beach Post
Representative Joaquin Castro of Texas
…expressed support for Mr. Lula, tweeting that “domestic terrorists and fascists cannot be allowed to use Trump’s playbook to undermine democracy.”