While outgoing President Jair Bolsonaro has so far remained silent about his defeat in Brazil’s presidential election, some of his supporters have taken to the streets to protest the results, setting up roadblocks in 23 of the country’s 26 states.
The supreme court has since ordered the highway police to clear the roadblocks.
The roadblocks, largely organized by truckers, a key support base that has benefited from the Bolsonaro government’s lowering of diesel costs, are in 271 points across the country, either partially or fully blocking highways and key roads, including thoroughfares used to move grains from farm states to ports, and a major road connection between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, the country’s two largest cities.
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The truckers have also blocked the main access road to São Paulo’s Guarulhos international airport, the country’s busiest airport. The federal highway police (PRF) reports that another 192 had been initially cleared.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes called on the PRF to clear all roadblocks. He was joined by six other justices early on Tuesday in a virtual session to back his decision. The move also sets fines on the PRF’s director-general, Silvinei Vasques, if he fails to act on removing the blockades.
According to Reuters, communications minister Fábio Faria said that Bolsonaro was expected to break his silence on Tuesday. But he did not indicate whether the incumbent will speak to concede. Some of his political allies have reportedly already started reaching out to the camp of president-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to discuss the transition, while others have publicly expressed that the Bolsonaro government should respect the results of the election.
On Sunday, leftist former president Lula won over Bolsonaro with a very narrow lead of 50.9% to 49.10%.
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