Brazil gets its own January 6 as Bolsonaro supporters riot

Río de Janeiro, Brazil - Supporters of far-right former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro rioted in the streets on Monday night, clashing with police in protest of the recent election results and the arrest of a political ally.

Supporters of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro began rioting in the country's capital on Monday, refusing to concede to the leader's recent loss.
Supporters of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro began rioting in the country's capital on Monday, refusing to concede to the leader's recent loss.  © Evaristo SA / AFP

Since Bolsonaro was defeated by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva back in October, many of his supporters have refused to accept the results.

Bolsonaro hasn't exactly helped matters, repeatedly arguing without proof that the country's voting machines are susceptible to fraud, and telling his supporters last Friday that the fate of his political future was in their hands.

Early Monday, Lula was officially certificated, cementing his victory.

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But things hit their breaking point later that day after police arrested José Acácio Serere Xavante, a pro-Bolsonaro indigenous leader who was reportedly ordered by a Supreme Court justice to be detained for 10 days for "alleged anti-democratic acts."

Prosecutors allege that he "attempted to incite people to try to abolish the rule of law and to impede the swearing-in of the president and vice-president elect."

In response, Bolsonaro supporters set fire to five buses and eight cars, blocked roads, and eventually attempted to storm the federal police building where Xavante was being held.

Xavante issued a video from prison, urging rioters outside the building to "refrain from engaging in conflict, fights, or confrontations."

Jain Bolsonaro's political trajectory is eerily similar to that of former US President Donald Trump, who also refuses to concede to election results that aren't in his favor, and makes claims of voter fraud. Bolsonaro has also amassed a cult-like following that are willing to resort to violence in his name.

Cover photo: Evaristo SA / AFP

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