International community rejects insurgent acts in Brasília; read the statements

Heads of States and international bodies describe acts as “assault on democracy” and express solidarity with the Brazilian people

Palácio do Planalto após a destruição de vândalos (Foto: Fabio Rodrigues-Pozzebom)

The storming of the Presidential Palace, the Supreme Court and the National Congress on Sunday, January 8, prompted a series of international declarations in defense of Brazilian democracy. During the attempt at democratic breakdown in Brasília, dozens of heads of States, lawmakers and representatives of regional and global institutions condemned the attacks on the headquarters of the country’s three branches of government. 

According to Camila Asano, executive director of Conectas, “these responses demonstrate that the international community recognizes the security of the electoral system in Brazil and rejects attempts to deny its result and, therefore, that it is concerned about attempts at democratic breakdown in the country”. 

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, condemned the “assault on the democratic institutions” of Brazil. “The will of the Brazilian people and the country’s institutions must be respected. I am confident that it will be so. Brazil is a great democratic country,” he said on his Twitter account. 

Read more: 

• Conectas condemns insurgent acts and calls for accountability
• Pact for Democracy: Hold insurgency to account, reaffirm democracy

In a statement, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the OAS (Organization of American States) condemned the attacks on the institutions and the violence in Brasília. According to the commission, what happened represents an attack against democracy. “The right to assemble must be peaceful, without weapons and with adherence to the rule of law. All those responsible must be investigated and sanctioned,” it added. 

Statements from around the world

Leaders from Latin America also expressed their support for the branches of government in Brazil. Heads of States from countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Mexico and Colombia offered solidarity to the Brazilian people. Similarly, leaders from France, Spain, Germany and other European nations used their official channels to condemn the pro-coup attacks in the Brazilian capital. Organizations and actors linked to the United States government also condemned the acts. In addition, President Joe Biden called President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to show solidarity and express his support for the Brazilian government. 

The Chinese government also made a statement. “China is closely following and firmly opposes the violent attack on the federal authorities in Brazil on January 8,” said Wang Wenbin, the country’s foreign ministry spokesman. 

Read some statements: 

Alberto Fernández, President of Argentina: “Democracy is the only political system that guarantees freedoms and obliges us to respect the verdict of the people.”

Ariel Henry, Prime Minister of Haiti: “The Haitian government condemns the attacks perpetrated against the democratic institutions of Brazil and renews its support for President Lula, recently elected by the Brazilian people.”

Antony Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States: We condemn the attacks on Brazil’s Presidency, Congress and Supreme Court today. Using violence to attack democratic institutions is always unacceptable.

Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany: “Terrible images out of Brazil. The violent attacks on the democratic institutions are an assault on democracy that cannot be tolerated. We stand closely alongside President Lula and the Brazilian people.”

Swiss Embassy in Brazil: “The Swiss Embassy in Brazil is following with grave concern the violent actions in the Three Powers Plaza, in Brasília.  We reiterate our support for Brazilian institutions and democracy.”

British Embassy in Brazil: “We condemn the violent scenes of attack on institutions today in Brasilia. We reaffirm our confidence in the strength of Brazil’s democracy and in the smooth functioning of its democratic process.”

Emmanuel Macron, President of France: “The will of the Brazilian people and the country’s institutions must be respected! President Lula can count on the unconditional support of France.”

Gabriel Boric, President of Chile: An unconscionable attack on the three branches of the Brazilian state by Bolsonaro supporters. The Brazilian government has our full support in the face of this cowardly and vile attack on democracy.

Gustavo Petro, President of Colombia: “Fascism breaks and violates art. Death to intelligence!, they shouted in Spain, now they do it in Latin America that voted for progressivism.”

Pedro Sánchez, Prime Minister of Spain: “All my support to President Lula and the institutions freely and democratically elected by the Brazilian people. “We strongly condemn the assault on the Brazilian Congress and call for an immediate return to democratic normality.”

Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, President of Cuba: “We strongly condemn the violent and anti-democratic acts in Brazil that are occurring in Brazil, with the aim of generating chaos and disrespecting the will of the people expressed with the election of President Lula. We express our full support and solidarity to Lula and his government.”

João Lourenço, President of the CPLP: “We consider these demonstrations regrettable and revealing of a high degree of intolerance not compatible with the rules of the democratic game.” 

Ministry of Foreign Relations of Uruguay: “Uruguay condemns the episodes of violence against the institutions in Brazil and calls for respect for the rule of law, democracy and its government.”

Ministry of Foreign Relations of Peru: “The government of Peru firmly condemns the assault on the headquarters of Congress, the Presidency and the Supreme Court of Brazil and any attempt to disregard the legitimacy of the October 2022 elections. Our solidarity with President Lula and Brazilian democracy.”

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India: “Deeply concerned about the news of rioting and vandalism against the State institutions in Brasilia. Democratic traditions must be respected by everyone. We extend our full support to the Brazilian authorities.”

UN Brazil: “The UN System is monitoring with concern the events today in Brasília. The UN condemns any attack of this nature and calls on the authorities to defend democracy and the rule of law.”

Wopke Hoekstra, Minister of Foreign Relations of the Netherlands: “Shocking images from Brasília. President Lula Da Silva and his government have my full support. Brazil’s democratic institutions need to be fully respected and all those responsible for the attacks must be held accountable.”