A man carrying a knife and an explosive device or fireworks was arrested today after trying to enter the inauguration ceremony of Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva as president of Brazil, informed the Military Police.
The communiqué of the force states that the capture was at 9 o’clock and that it is “a man with an explosive device and a knife who was trying to enter the esplanade for the investiture” of Lula.
“The individual came from Rio de Janeiro to participate in the event and, during the search, a knife and fireworks were found,” according to the police text, quoted by the portal Diario do Centro do Mundo and the agency Europa Press.
Also, in the last hours, the Federal Police used an anti-drone device to shoot down an unmanned aerial device that had invaded the esplanade where the ceremony would be held.
Lula takes office this afternoon in a ceremony attended by 17 heads of state and government amid a major operation and security measures.
Lula da Silva was sworn in this Sunday for the third time as president of Brazil in a ceremony at the Congress in Brasilia marked by the absence of his predecessor, the ultra-right-wing Jair Bolsonaro.
Exactly 20 years after acceding to power for the first time, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, 77, was proclaimed president together with his vice, Geraldo Alckmin, by pronouncing his “constitutional commitment.”
The ceremony began with a minute’s silence in memory of former Brazilian football star Pelé and Benedict XVI, both of whom died this week.
Lula arrived at the Congress in the traditional black Rolls Royce convertible with the first lady “Janja,” to the cheers of his supporters, some of them with tears in their eyes, reported AFP.
Contrary to tradition, his predecessor was absent. Bolsonaro traveled to the United States on Friday, two days before the end of his term in office.
For the first time since 1985, an outgoing president will not pass the presidential sash, an act that will take place later at the Planalto Palace.