Biden condemns Bolsonaro supporters’ “attack on democracy” in joint statement with Mexico and Canada

President Joe Biden joined leaders of Canada and Mexico in condemning “attacks” on democracy in Brazil after supporters of ousted President Jair Bolsonaro stormed government buildings.

Her statement, made in Mexico City, came after the military and police in Brazil cleared a camp that Bolsonaro supporters had set up across from the army’s headquarters, after emptying seized buildings and making hundreds of arrests following violent clashes had done on Sunday.

“Canada, Mexico and the United States condemn the January 8 attacks on Brazil’s democracy and peaceful transfer of power,” the leaders said.

“We stand by Brazil as it protects its democratic institutions. Our governments support the free will of the Brazilian people. We look forward to working with President Lula for our countries, the Western Hemisphere and beyond,” they said.

President Joe Biden walking with Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador joined Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in condemning the attack on key government buildings by supporters of ousted Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro

The statement came hours before Biden, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are due to meet for a welcome ceremony at the National Palace in Mexico City.

The statement came after Biden on Sunday condemned the “assault on democracy” in Brazil, calling the situation “outrageous” after supporters of far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro attacked the country’s Congress, presidential palace and Supreme Court.

The violence provides an eerie echo of how supporters of former President Donald Trump attacked the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021; an anniversary that Biden just celebrated.

Biden made the comments during a three-hour visit to El Paso, Texas, just before he was due to fly to Mexico City for a summit of North American leaders.

He later tweeted: “I condemn the attack on democracy and the peaceful transition of power in Brazil. Brazil’s democratic institutions have our full support and the will of the Brazilian people must not be undermined. I look forward to continuing to work with @Lulaoficial’ – Lula’s Twitter handle.

His comments came after National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan tweeted: “The United States condemns any attempt to undermine democracy in Brazil. President Biden is following the situation closely, and our support for Brazil’s democratic institutions is unwavering. Brazil’s democracy cannot be shaken by violence.”

President Joe Biden condemned the “outrageous” attack on Brazil’s government building after supporters of ousted President Bolsonaro raided Congress and the presidential palace

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio da Silva, who was out in Sao Paolo when news of the violence broke, branded protesters who stormed Congress as “vandals and fascists” – with scenes similar to the Trump takeover Followers on January 6th.

He announced a federal security intervention for the Brazilian capital by the end of the month.

“These vandals, who we might call fanatical Nazis, fanatical Stalinists… fanatical fascists, did what has never been done in the history of this country,” said Lula, who defeated Bolsonaro in an election last year.

“All these people who did this will be found and punished.”

Supporters of far-right ex-President Jair Bolsonaro have invaded the Congress building, the Supreme Court and the Presidential Palace and are calling on the military to overthrow current President Luiz Inacio.

After weeks of anger at the newly installed President da Silva, there are clashes between police and demonstrators on the streets in front of the government buildings

Protesters broke into buildings and smashed windows as they made their way into the Congress building, the Supreme Court and the Presidential Palace

President da Silva – said there was “no precedent in the history of our country” and called the violence “acts of vandals and fascists”. He is currently on an official state trip to São Paulo

The left-wing veteran known as “Lula” has been in power for just a week after being inaugurated a week ago as supporters of the former president claim the election was stolen.

Footage from the scenes bears an uncanny resemblance to those that stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 after former President Trump claimed the election was stolen.

Following Lula’s win, Biden issued a statement calling his win free and fair amid Bolsonaro’s repeated attacks on his integrity, though Bolsonaro ultimately relented.

“I congratulate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on his election as the next President of Brazil after free, fair and credible elections. I look forward to working together to continue cooperation between our two countries in the months and years to come,” Biden said at the time.