Brazil’s president ordered federal troops to restore order in the country’s capital, Brasilia, after some ministries were evacuated during clashes between police and protesters seeking Michel Temer’s ouster.
Temer is struggling to retain power after the release of a recording that appears to capture him approving hush money for a convicted former lawmaker. Brazil’s top court is investigating him for alleged obstruction of justice and involvement in passive corruption. The president is resisting calls to resign and has said he will fight the accusations.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched to Congress on Wednesday to demand Temer step down and protest against economic reforms that he is pushing through.
It was the most violent protest in Brasilia since anti-government demonstrations in 2013.
One protestor was shot and wounded, police said. Local media reported at least one other demonstrator was seriously wounded by a rubber bullet to the face, while another lost part of his hand while trying to throw an explosive device at officers. The city government said 49 people were hurt.
What began as small scuffles between police and protesters who tried to jump a cordon mushroomed into a series of clashes, in which officers fired tear gas and pepper spray to contain the crowd. Protesters set fires and used portable toilets to create barricades.
As the fighting escalated, some government agencies were evacuated, the president’s office said. The G1 news portal reported that protesters set a fire in the agriculture ministry.
In a brief national address during the unrest, Defence Minister Raul Jungmann said troops were being sent to guard federal buildings, including the presidential palace. The deployment was authorized by a presidential decree that left open the possibility that soldiers could be used more widely in Brasilia. The decree said Jungmann would decide the scope.
“This mess, this mayhem is unacceptable,” Jungmann said. “President Temer will not allow that.”
Jungmann added that troops had already entered the foreign ministry. Images on television showed soldiers outside the presidential palace.
The move to use the military in the face of protests could heighten anger at the government and senior officials were already distancing themselves from the decision.
Rodrigo Maia, the speaker of the lower house of Congress, said he had asked Temer to instead use the National Force, an elite police entity. Justice Marco Aurelio Mello, of Brazil’s highest court, said he was “a little concerned about the context” of Temer’s decision.