This Monday, authorities in Brasilia completed the removal of the last remains of a protest camp set up just over two months earlier at the gates of the Army headquarters. The camp, linked to supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro, saw about 1,200 people arrested during the sweep.
Brasilia’s Military Police and the National Security Force moved in at 7:00 am local time, delivering a final warning to the small group still occupying the site that they had one hour to leave. The operation proceeded with minimal confrontation, though a number of arrests were recorded as many of the camp residents chose to depart before the last notice was delivered, including officials from the defense ministry and members of civil groups who spoke to Brazilian media outlets.
To wipe out the remaining stragglers, the Government of Brasilia arranged roughly forty buses to transport the roughly 1,200 people still at the camp to Federal Police facilities for questioning and processing. The dispersal and subsequent processing were coordinated to avoid disruption to the surrounding area and to maintain public safety during the transition. These moves were part of a broader effort to restore order after the early week-end disturbances that targeted the headquarters of the three branches of government.
Earlier on Monday, authorities had begun clearing the site after the Army refused police entry on Sunday night. Government sources cited by the newspaper O Globo indicated that most of the campers were relatives or acquaintances of military personnel, a factor that may have influenced the decision-making around access and the pace of the operation.
In parallel, Brazilian judiciary authorities took up the matter, with Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes overseeing the dispersal and addressing the political tensions surrounding the episode. Moraes called for the removal of the camp and underscored the need for stability in the capital following the day’s anti-democratic actions. The jurist’s intervention reflects the ongoing legal response to the protests and the broader discussion about governance and security in Brasilia. (Source: O Globo; Supreme Court press statements)
As the situation evolved, the federal government stepped in to extend its reach over security powers in the capital, signaling a shift in the level of oversight and response to the incidents surrounding the bannered protests. The step was described as a measure to ensure continuity of governance while maintaining public safety and orderly administration during a period of heightened tension in the nation’s capital. (Source: Federal government briefings)
Ultimately, the governor of Brasilia, Ibaneis Rocha, faced political pressure and was temporarily relieved from his duties amid the unrest. Deputy governor Celina Leão was named to lead the administration while the federal intervention in security operations continued to be implemented, a move that aligns with the federal administration’s commitment to restoring order and upholding constitutional processes. (Source: Brasília government announcements; national press coverage)
Authorities emphasized that the dispersal aimed to prevent further escalation and to safeguard public institutions. The operation demonstrated a coordinated approach among local police, federal security forces, and judicial oversight to handle a highly charged political situation. The episode left a mark on the national dialogue about protest, security, and the functioning of democratic institutions during times of crisis. (Attribution: National security briefings; court orders; local government statements)