Democrats from across the country are now directing blame to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R). accusing him of allowing a "far-right facist" in former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro to reside in the Orlando area. Over the weekend, thousands of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva's opponents stormed the Capitol and destroyed both the Supreme Court and Congress.
Since President Lula's election, dissenters have attributed his win to voter fraud, calling for the Brazilian military to oust Lula. On Sunday, opponents of Lula stormed his offices along with the headquarters of the Congress and Supreme Federal Tribunal (STF) of Brazil. The riot took place while Lula was in São Paulo state as he assessed the damage incurred from recent floods.
On Friday, Bolsonaro landed in Florida, and reports indicate that he plans on staying in the sunshine state for a month. Amidst the protests, and as investigations into January 6th continue in the United States, Democrats are now calling on Governor DeSantis to act.
On Twitter, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D) commented on the riot, recalling that "nearly 2 years to the day the US Capitol was attacked by fascists, we see fascist movements abroad attempt to do the same in Brazil." Calling on people to "stand in solidarity with Lula," Ocasio-Cortez called on the United States to "cease granting refuge to Bolsonaro in Florida."
Nearly 2 years to the day the US Capitol was attacked by fascists, we see fascist movements abroad attempt to do the same in Brazil.
We must stand in solidarity with @LulaOficial’s democratically elected government. 🇧🇷
The US must cease granting refuge to Bolsonaro in Florida. https://t.co/rzsZl9jwZY
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 8, 2023
Florida Rep. Anna V. Eskamani (D) also commented on the growing tension, questioning why DeSantis is offering refuge to Bolsonaro in Florida.
"Is it because you support far right fascist regimes storming capitols!?" Eskamani further questioned.
.@GovRonDeSantis why are you giving refuge to Jair Bolsonaro in Florida? Is it because you support far right fascist regimes storming capitols!? https://t.co/OIpi4nJeyQ
— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani 🔨 (@AnnaForFlorida) January 9, 2023
President Joe Biden (D), currently visiting El Paso, Texas, condemned the riot via tweet, writing that "Brazil’s democratic institutions have our full support and the will of the Brazilian people must not be undermined." Biden also said that he looks forward to continuing to work with Lula.
I condemn the assault on democracy and on the peaceful transfer of power in Brazil. 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.
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 8, 2023
