US, Mexico, Canada condemn Jan. 8 attack on Brazil's institutions

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The leaders of the US, Mexico and Canada jointly condemned on Monday weekend assaults on Brazil's capital that saw rioters ransack the country's Congress, Supreme Court and presidential palace.

The North American allies lambasted what they said were "attacks on Brazil’s democracy and on the peaceful transfer of power" by supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The right-wing politician lost November's general election to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

"We stand with Brazil as it safeguards its democratic institutions," Presidents Joe Biden, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement. "Our governments support the free will of the people of Brazil. We look forward to working with President Lula on delivering for our countries, the Western Hemisphere, and beyond."

On Sunday, hundreds of supporters of Bolsonaro stormed the National Congress building while shouting slogans and demanding intervention by the army after breaking through a police barrier and entering the legislature.

Bolsonaro supporters also managed to invade and ransack the Planalto Palace, or President's office, and the Supreme Federal Court, according to Brazil news portal G1.

Lula was sworn in for a third term as Brazil's president in the capital Brasilia on Jan. 1. On Oct. 30, 2022, he beat far-right Bolsonaro in a tight race, garnering 50.9% of the vote compared with Bolsonaro’s 49.1%, according to Brazil's Supreme Electoral Court.