BRASÍLIA—Brazilian President
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
vowed to reduce the influence of military forces in his government after blaming security officials for aiding protesters who stormed the presidential palace on Sunday.
“There were so many people who were complicit in this, many members of the military police, of the armed forces,” said Mr. da Silva, citing video footage. He said he was completing an analysis of staff at the palace, where members of the military are part of his security team.
“I am convinced that the door of the presidential palace was opened so people could come inside because none of the doors are broken,” the country’s newly inaugurated leftist leader told reporters Thursday.
“It means that someone facilitated their entrance,” Mr. da Silva said of the protesters who broke in. “We will investigate with much calm and see what really happened.”
Supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro forced their way into the presidential palace in Brasília on Sunday.
Photo:
Eraldo Peres/Associated Press
The president has a large security team, ranging from building-security guards to high-level advisers and the Institutional Security Bureau, an executive cabinet office of the federal government charged with providing assistance to the president in an emergency.
Mr. da Silva has also blamed members of Brasília’s military police for the turmoil, accusing them of “doing absolutely nothing” to contain protesters in the lead-up to Sunday’s riots during a speech after the attacks, without presenting evidence.
Brazil’s military police and the army didn’t respond to requests for comment about Mr. da Silva’s allegations. The Defense Ministry declined to comment.
His comments came as Brazil’s attorney general requested that courts freeze the assets of 52 people who authorities allege were involved in Sunday’s turmoil. He requested an asset freeze for seven companies—mostly transport firms—accused of bringing hundreds…
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