Versión Español
The capital of Brazil dawned on Thursday with a strong military presence, especially around public buildings where 1,500 troops were deployed, after violent protests against President Michel Temer, who has been increasingly pressured by the Brazilian people to step down from power following alleged acts of corruption.
The facades of several government buildings showed signs of damage from the massive opposition protests on Wednesday, when young men, with their faces covered, broke windows, and burnt some of the furniture.
- Read More: Brazil’s Michel Temer Facing Impeachment for Influence Peddling
- Read More: Leaked Audio Shows Brazil President Temer Negotiating Bribes
President Temer ordered military troops be deployed on the streets of Brasilia, which has caused controversy because of the sensitivity that prevails in Brazilian society due to the dictatorship that the country endured between the years of 1964 and 1985.
Due to this situation, legislator Carlos Zarattini, of the leftist Workers’ Party founded by former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, said: “I do not remember seeing anything like this even in the period of the military dictatorship.”
For its part, the Temer administration argued that the measure is necessary to protect the lives of government employees who were in danger, forcing them to evacuate government buildings amidst tear gas and clashes between the security forces and the demonstrators.
Between 45,000 and 100,000 people have gathered in Brazilia, according to the authorities, who also detailed that 49 have been wounded, one of them for gunshot wound, seven people arrested, and damages incurred at eight government buildings, as well as in the Brazilian Cathedral.
President Michel Temer is in the fight of his political life, as he has been recorded approving of buying the silence of an ex-deputy who is currently in prison, while the Brazilian Congress is debating a measure to strip the president of his authority, a process that would be constitutional, as Senator Tasso Jereissati, president of the center-right party, PSDB, said.
For his part, Temer has assured that he will not resign, but in response to his statement, the Chamber of Deputies has drawn up 16 articles of impeachment.
Source: El Nuevo Herald
