Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was inaugurated as the 39th president of Brazil, as fears of a violent uprising from supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro fizzled out.
The inauguration follows one of the most chaotic transition periods in the country’s history, characterized by violence and calls for a military coup, primarily from Bolsonaro’s supporters. The former president flew to Florida on Friday, spending his last full day in office and the inauguration of his rival abroad. He may remain there in exile in order to avoid being charged in Brazil. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of Lula’s supporters, guarded by 8,000 police officers, celebrated at the new president’s inauguration, where he gave a speech contrasting himself with Bolsonaro’s right-wing government, the New York Times reported.
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“Under the winds of redemocratization, we used to say, ‘Dictatorship never again,’” Lula told the crowd. “Today, after the terrible challenge we’ve overcome, we must say, ‘Democracy forever.’”
Bolsonaro is currently staying at UFC champion Jose Aldo’s mansion in Orlando, a few miles from Disney World, the Rio Times reported. A member of Bolsonaro’s inner circle told the New York Times that he intends to stay in Florida for at least a month, perhaps several, in order to survey whether Lula’s government will pursue charges against him. Lula hinted in his inauguration speech that he would.
Meanwhile, thousands of Bolsonaro’s supporters remain camped outside of military barracks, urging the military to step in and reinstate the former president. The encampments have turned into small towns; one in the capital Brasilia has showers, a laundry service, cellphone-charging stations, a hospital, and 28 food stalls. Magno Rodrigues, 60, a former mechanic and janitor who gives daily speeches at the town, told the New York Times that he fully believes the army will step in soon and that he’ll remain encamped until they do.
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“As long as it takes to liberate my country,” he said. “For the rest of my life if I have to.”
Lula was president from 2003 to 2010 but was hit with corruption after he left office and spent much of 2018 and 2019 in prison. His supporters argued that his charges were politically biased, culminating in his return to the presidency on Sunday.
