A man died after attempting to attack Brazil's Supreme Court with explosives on Wednesday night, just days before the G20 summit. The incident took place at the Praça dos Três Poderes, the iconic square housing the Supreme Court, the presidential palace, and Congress, raising significant concerns about security amid heightened political tensions.
The suspect has been identified as Francisco Wanderley Luiz, 59, who is reported to have been affiliated with Jair Bolsonaro's far-right Liberal Party. According to military police, Luiz detonated the explosives he was carrying following his failed attempt to enter the court building. Eyewitness accounts described hearing two loud explosions, the first from Luiz's parked car, with the second occurring at the entrance of the court.
Officials confirmed there were no other injuries, but the incident has been labeled as potentially politically motivated and has sparked investigations for possible links to extremist activities. Brazil's solicitor general characterized the explosions as deliberate attacks, which were also viewed as a manifestation of the growing threats against democratic institutions.
Prior to his act, Luiz attempted to throw an object at the Supreme Court and was seen covering a Lady Justice statue. Upon being challenged by security, it is reported he exposed explosives strapped to his body before the fatal explosion. The justice minister noted the bombs were homemade, amplifying concerns over whether other dangerous materials may be hidden nearby.
The blasts have raised pressing questions about Brazil's political climate, particularly as it draws closer to international events like the G20 meeting and the anticipated visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Recent months have seen increased threats against the Supreme Court, often fueled by Bolsonaro's controversial assertions about electoral integrity and widespread accusations of fraud.
During his presidency, Bolsonaro promoted narratives undermining trust in Brazil's electoral processes, contributing to political unrest. Following Luiz's attack, Brazilian police announced they found additional explosives at his residence. The devices were safely detonated by bomb disposal robots, and Luiz's phone was later discovered at the scene.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes, one of the justices targeted by Bolsonaro's supporters, expressed alarm over the attack, framing it as part of broader patterns of violence inspired by political discourse. Moraes elaborated on how rhetorical threats are often translated by certain individuals as mandates for violence.
The Supreme Court justices had evacuated moments after the blasts, and President Luiz Iácio Lula da Silva was reportedly at the presidential palace shortly before the incidents unfolded. Lula and other leaders have condemned the attack and are calling for unity against political violence.
Political responses to the attack have highlighted deep divisions within Brazil's society, as Bolsonaro distanced himself from the incident, attributing it to mental illness rather than political motivations. Still, the shadow of the far-right sentiments linger, with officials promising thorough investigations to understand the attack's roots and to prevent future occurrences.
The ramifications of this attack will likely resonate not only through Brazil’s political sphere but also on the international stage as global leaders prepare for discussions on economic cooperation, security, and social issues during the G20 summit scheduled for next week.
