Brazil army called in to restore order
BRASILIA: Brazil’s president ordered soldiers to restore order in the country’s capital yesterday after some government ministries were evacuated during clashes between police and protesters who are seeking the leader’s ousting. Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched to Congress to protest economic reforms that President Michel Temer is pushing through and to demand he step down amid a corruption scandal.
Scuffles between police and protesters who tried to jump a cordon mushroomed into a series of clashes in which officers fired tear gas and pepper spray to contain the crowd. Protest- ers set fires and used portable toilets as barricades.
Local media captured video images of military police firing pistols into the air. The Secretariat of Public Security said it would investigate the weapons firing, saying that “this procedure is not used in protests”. Earlier, it said one person had been injured by a bullet but gave no information on who fired the shot.
A fire broke out in the Ministry of Agriculture, and demonstrators smashed windows and doors at other ministries. Some government agencies were evacuated in response.
In an address during the unrest, Defence Minister Raul Jungmann said troops were being sent to guard federal buildings, including the presidential palace. “This mess, this mayhem is unacceptable,” Jungmann said. “President Temer will not allow that.”
Temer is struggling to retain power after the release of a recording that appears to capture him approving hush money for a convicted former lawmaker. Brazil’s top court is investigating him for alleged obstruction of justice and involvement in passive corruption. The president has denied wrongdoing and said he would not resign.
His unusual decision to call in the military could heighten anger against the government if it is seen as the last gasp of a president trying to maintain his hold on power.
“This decree was never used in this context to protect an administration that is politically isolated,” said Newton de Oliveira, a professor and security specialist at Mackenzie University in Rio de Janeiro. He said he thought the supreme court might be called on to evaluate whether the move was constitutional.
Temer’s office said the move was necessary after violence had put the lives and safety of public servants at risk. He also denied the move was unusual, it said. – ANA-AP