‘A cowardly and vile attack’: Over 400 arrested after Bolsonaro supporters storm Brazil’s Congress

World leaders condemned what they described as a “cowardly and vile” attack after thousands of supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro invaded the country’s Congress, the Supreme Court and the presidential palace.

On an extraordinary day of political violence, rioters on Sunday ransacked Brazil’s three branches of power as part of a failed attempt to overthrow President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s week-old government.

Observers of the attack swiftly drew comparisons between the chaos in Brasilia and the Jan. 6 invasion of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump two years ago.

Brazil’s security forces have regained control of the country’s political institutions and Brasilia governor Ibaneis Rocha said more than 400 people had been arrested as of Sunday evening. Rocha — an ally of Bolsonaro — was later suspended from his post for security failings.

Lula sealed a remarkable return to Brazil’s presidency late last year, securing 50.9% of the runoff vote to defeat far-right incumbent Bolsonaro.

Many of Bolsonaro’s supporters refused to accept the result, however, and political analysts have long feared a U.S.-style attack on the country’s prominent government buildings.

Lula blamed Bolsonaro for “encouraging” the riots, saying there were several speeches by the former president to incite Sunday’s attack.

Bolsnaro rejected the accusation and said what happened on Sunday went beyond peaceful democratic protest.

World leaders, including some of Brazil’s regional neighbors, condemned Sunday’s attack on Brazil’s Congress, the Supreme Court and the presidential palace and reaffirmed their support for Lula’s administration.

“I condemn the assault on democracy and on the peaceful transfer of power in Brazil,” U.S. President Joe Biden said via Twitter. “Brazil’s democratic institutions have our full support and the will of the Brazilian people must not be undermined. I look forward to continuing to work with @LulaOficial.”

Chilean President Gabriel Boric described the attack on Brazil’s institutions as a “cowardly and vile attack on democracy.”

Meanwhile, Colombian President Gustavo Petro offered solidarity to Lula and the people of Brazil, saying “fascism decides to strike.”

Petro called for an urgent meeting of the Organization of American States, “if it wants to continue to live as an institution and apply the democratic charter.”

Canadian President Justin Trudeau said, “Canada strongly condemns the violent behaviour on display there today, and we reaffirm our support for President @LulaOficial and Brazil’s democratic institutions.”