Brazil authorities demand road blockades be cleared after Bolsonaro’s election loss

By Bala Chambers

BUENOS AIRES (AA) - Authorities in Brazil have called Tuesday for blockades across the nation's roads to be cleared by security forces.

The chief of Brazil's Supreme Court (STF), Alexandre de Moraes, requested that security forces clear scores of roadblocks that have been set up largely by truck drivers after the defeat of incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro in elections Sunday.

Bolsonaro supporters are facing the prospect of R$100,000 ($19,355) in fines and arrest, according to Brazil news source, Metropoles.

Demonstrations on roads erupted after the far-right Bolsonaro lost to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in a tight race, garnering 50.9% of the vote compared to Bolsonaro’s 49.1%, according to Brazil's Supreme Electoral Court.

Bolsonaro has remained silent about his loss, not making any declaration regarding Lula’s victory while several close allies have acknowledged defeat.

De Moraes said the blockades "affect not only the regularity of traffic on highways, but mainly public safety" across Brazil.

Metropoles said military police have been granted "full constitutional and legal attributions to act in the face of illicit acts."

De Moraes summoned all 27 of Brazil's governors, high-ranking heads of the military police and state attorneys of justice to push for the “immediate clearing of all public roads."

Brazil reported 271 different incidents of blockades on roads with the financial capital, Sao Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro affected by largely truck drivers early Tuesday.

A total of 192 demonstrations have been removed.

Demonstrations have not been called by an individual organization but scores of pro-Bolsonaro groups have used messaging service, Telegram, to organize the roadblocks, according to Metropoles.

​​​​​​​Many demonstrators have urged a military intervention as they continue to protest his election loss.