Lone Attacker Detonates Bombs Near Brazilian Government Buildings

On November 13, 2024, an unexpected incident occurred in Brasília, Brazil’s capital. A man set off explosives near the Supreme Court, leading to his own death.

The event disrupted the usual calm of the government district and drew immediate attention from authorities. This incident occurred just days before the country was set to host the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.

The deceased was identified as Francisco Wanderley Luiz, a 59-year-old from Rio do Sul, Santa Catarina. Luiz had previously run for city council in 2020, receiving only 98 votes. He had recently rented a house in Ceilândia, a satellite city of Brasília.

The sequence of events began around 7:30 PM local time. First, Luiz’s car exploded in the parking lot of the Chamber of Deputies’ Annex IV building. Shortly after, two more explosions occurred near the Supreme Court building, where Luiz’s body was found.

Authorities revealed that Luiz had attempted to enter the Supreme Court before the explosions. When denied entry, he detonated explosives outside the building. The incident prompted an immediate evacuation of the court premises.

The Supreme Court justices had just concluded a plenary session when the explosions occurred. All justices and staff were safely evacuated from the building. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had left the nearby Planalto Palace shortly before the incident.

Law enforcement quickly cordoned off the area. Bomb squads were deployed to search for additional explosives. The Federal Police opened an inquiry into the explosions, with the case being sent to Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.

Lone Attacker Detonates Bombs Near Brazilian Government Buildings

This event has raised serious security concerns, especially with the upcoming G20 summit. The incident occurred in the Plaza of the Three Powers, a symbolic area housing Brazil’s main government buildings. This same location was the site of riots on January 8, 2023.

Authorities are investigating Luiz’s background and motives. Preliminary reports suggest he had been posting political content on social media. Some messages allegedly hinted at his intentions to carry out the attack.

The incident has prompted a review of security protocols in Brasília’s government district. Officials are working to ensure the safety of international leaders attending the G20 summit. The event is still scheduled to proceed as planned.