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In joint message, Mexican, U.S. and Canadian heads of state condemn anti-democratic Brazil riots

Anti-democratic riots in Brazil have elicited a response from North American leaders.

In scenes reminiscent of Jan. 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol, supporters of former right-wing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro stormed key government buildings over the weekend. Recently inaugurated President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva blamed Bolsonaro for inciting the riot, and said those who participated — whom he described as "neo-fascists" — would face justice.

In a joint statement, U.S. President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador condemned what they called “attacks on Brazil’s democracy and on the peaceful transfer of power.”

“We stand with Brazil as it safeguards its democratic institutions. Our governments support the free will of the people of Brazil,” the rest of the statement read. “We look forward to working with President Lula on delivering for our countries, the Western Hemisphere, and beyond.”

The three heads of state are meeting in Mexico City this week for the North American Leaders Summit.

Murphy Woodhouse was a senior field correspondent at KJZZ from 2018 to 2023.