Brasilia rioters likely had inside help: President Lula | Inquirer News

Brasilia rioters likely had inside help: President Lula

/ 03:48 AM January 13, 2023

Brazil's former President and presidential candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks at an election night gathering on the day of the Brazilian presidential election run-off, in Sao Paulo, Brazil October 30, 2022. REUTERS/Carla Carniel

Brazil’s former President and presidential candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks at an election night gathering on the day of the Brazilian presidential election run-off, in Sao Paulo, Brazil October 30, 2022. REUTERS/Carla Carniel

Brasília, Brazil — Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Thursday that rioters who sacked the presidential palace over the weekend likely had inside help.

Lula told reporters he had ordered a “thorough review” of palace staff after Sunday’s violent uprising, which saw backers of his far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro storm the presidency, Congress and Supreme Court.

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“I am convinced that the door of the Planalto (presidential) palace was opened for people to enter because there are no broken doors,” he said in Brasilia.

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“This means that someone facilitated their entry,” said Lula, who is dealing with the aftermath of the violent reaction by so-called “bolsonaristas” to his brand-new presidential term.

The rioters looted offices, destroyed priceless works of art and left graffiti messages calling for a military coup in their wake.

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“We will investigate calmly to see what really happened,” said Lula, who defeated Bolsonaro by a razor-thin margin in an October vote that followed a deeply divisive campaign.

Authorities are seeking to determine who planned and financed the riots for which more than 1,000 people have been arrested.

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