Reuters. Demanding a federal intervention, protesters supporting President Jair Bolsonaro gathered in the streets of Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday (November 2) rejecting his electoral defeat to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
43-year-old Marcos Paulo told Reuters the protest was a peaceful demonstration as a “counter to the coup", accusing electoral institutions of being corrupt.
Protesters wielded flags, banners and horns outside army headquarters just hours after blockades were set up across the country by pro-Bolsonaro truck drivers.
Brazil's Federal Highway Police (PRF) said protesters were blocking highways partially or fully in 156 locations as of Wednesday morning, down from around 190 the previous night. The blockades began Sunday (October 30) night after polls closed in Brazil.
Bolsonaro, a right-wing nationalist, has not conceded defeat but has stopped short of contesting the election result, and has authorised his chief of staff to begin the transition process with Lula's representatives.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro for the first time on Wednesday (November 2) asked protesters blocking roads nationwide to lift blockades as demonstrations are restricting people's right to come and go and bringing losses to the economy.
In a video posted on social media, Bolsonaro said he understood people's frustration at the result of the election.
"I'm just as upset, as sad as you. But we have to keep our head in place," Bolsonaro said.
"The request is highways, let's clear them for the good of our nation and so that we can continue fighting for democracy and freedom," he added.
