After days of chaos, Brazil begins to return to normalcy

According to the Federal Highway Police PRF, until early last night (Nov. 3), there were no more blocked highways

With various decisions in court, in all instances, the police finally acted to clear the highways and roads.

While São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro released most of the roads on Wednesday (Nov. 2), in Santa Catarina state, the biggest focus of the pro-Bolsonaro resistance still remained.

The protests that brought the country to a standstill are an expression of the lack of confidence that millions of Brazilians have in the purely electronic electoral process in the country and the electoral high court TSE.

Many harbor the grave suspicion that the presidency was stolen from Jair Bolsonaro through electoral fraud.

Yesterday (Nov. 3), around 4:40 pm, the military and Federal Highway police reopened the main link road in southern Brazil, BR 101.

The war scene was in Joinville, Santa Catarina, where all peaceful negotiations were unsuccessful.

Thus, the use of force was necessary. With the use of stun bombs, rubber bullets, tear gas, and police officers lined up, the highway was reopened.

According to the Minister of Justice, Federal Police delegate Anderson Torres, 4500 police officers, 1700 vehicles, and 8 aircraft were mobilized throughout the country.

Still according to him, 4216 fines were applied, for a total of R$11.3 (US$2.3) million.

In the operations, there were 37 arrests.

According to the PRF bulletin, released last night (Nov. 3), 936 demonstrations were broken up, and until 11 pm there were, according to him, no blocked roads.

Rio de Janeiro, Goiás and Brasília

RIO DE JANEIRO, GOIÁS AND BRASÍLIA

In many blockades, there were protesters with children.

However, with the arrival of the shock battalions, accompanied by guardianship counselors (agencies that defend children’s rights), those responsible were ordered to remove the minors from the conflict sites.

During the day, there were protests in front of armed forces battalions, especially the Army, asking for military intervention.

There are records of protesters in barracks in Rio de Janeiro, Goiânia, and in the capital Brasilia.

The military, however, has, for now, not made any official gesture in favor of the protesters’ intention.

DAMAGES

The halt in the flow of Brazilian production through the ports generated millions in losses. In Paraná, the BR-277 highway, the main access road to Paranaguá Port, was only unblocked on Thursday (Nov. 3).

In the first three days of the week, more than 2 thousand trucks with grains were expected at the port. Only 54 arrived.

Just as airlines count several canceled flights.

“In Guarulhos alone, on the first night of the blockade, more than 500 passengers and several crews could not get to the airport. That ended up canceling 25 flights at this airport alone. This was reproduced throughout the country,” said the president of the Brazilian Airline Association, Eduardo Sanovicz.

The association representing the bus companies estimates a loss of R$800 million.

RESPONSIBILITY

The Brazilian Judiciary is investigating the responsibility for the protests.

According to federal police sources, several businessmen are financing the protests.

According to journalist Christina Lemos, one of those investigated is businessman Emílio Dalçóquio Neto, owner of one of the largest fuel transporters in the country, based in Itajaí, Santa Catarina.

Lemos published a video in which, hours after the election result that gave victory to Lula da Silva, Dalçóquio made an inflammatory speech.

In the video, the Bolsonaro-supporting businessman calls for a shutdown. “I don’t accept communism! I will die! We are going to die! But we will not allow communism,” he reportedly said.

The Judiciary Branch ordered the blocking of hundreds of WhatsApp and telegram groups to contain the protesters.

Another measure taken Thursday (Nov. 3) by Federal Court Judge (STF) Alexandre de Moraes was for the Federal Police to transmit to the court all the data collected on the leaders of the anti-democratic blockades.

The Justice demands the police identify the owners of vehicles used to block roads.

“I order that the Federal Police provide all available information to identify the ringleaders of the ongoing illegal actions, especially the identification of the owners of the vehicles used in the said blockades,” he wrote.