Brazil protesters block roads, airport as Bolsonaro stays silent

Protests by backers of Jair Bolsonaro, led by truck drivers, have spread across the country as the Brazilian president remains silent over his loss in Sunday’s election, so far refusing to concede defeat to his foe Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Supporters of the firebrand president, unhappy with the election result, blocked more than 200 roads across more than a dozen states and the capital and restricted access to Sao Paulo international airport, forcing the cancellation of 25 flights. The protests prompted Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes to order the federal highway police to clear the blockades, warning of fines reaching 100,000 reais ($19,306) per hour per vehicle.

Bolsonaro has refused to make any public comments after losing the presidential runoff to Lula by less than 2 percentage points, the narrowest margin for a presidential election in the country’s modern history. Pressure from some allies is building for him to say something to de-escalate the rising tension. His Communications Minister Fabio Faria said late Monday that he will speak soon.

Bolsonaro is meeting with heads of the Navy and Air Force at the presidential palace in Brasilia Tuesday morning, in addition to the ministers of defense, justice and public security. Bolsonaro’s Chief of Staff, Ciro Nogueira, and running mate in the election, General Walter Braga Netto, are also attending.

“Bolsonaro is too isolated to successfully challenge the results,” said Mario Braga, an analyst with Control Risks in Sao Paulo. While demonstrations by truck drivers and supporters allow him to create a narrative that he has broad backing, “the conditions for him to stay in power simply aren’t there.”

In addition to highways, the port of Paranagua in Parana state was blocked by protesters, according to a statement, while the head of the Brazilian supermarkets association said that some shortages have already begun to be reported by members.

Braga said it’s important to watch how quickly the federal highway police moves to clear roads as its director is an ally of the president. Since Monday evening, the number of blockades has fallen.

The uncertainty could put a dent in the rally seen in Brazilian assets following the vote. The real pared early gains to trade 0.1% stronger on Tuesday while stocks climbed 0.2%.

“Markets are on edge waiting for Bolsonaro to address the outcome of the election,” said Brendan McKenna, a strategist at Wells Fargo in New York.

—Bloomberg