Demonstrations turn violent on the streets of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.
- Protests in Rio, Sao Paulo and elsewhere
- Anger at hike in public transport fares
- Underlying anger at recession, government
The news
ADVERTISEMENTProtests against an increase in public transport fares in Brazil’s largest cities have turned violent.
Demonstrators broke bus windows and torched objects in the street to block traffic in Rio de Janeiro.
A protest in Brazil over rising bus fares exploded into a riot https://t.co/IzMItKyUJcpic.twitter.com/qmthwgYpdR
— Business Insider (@businessinsider) January 9, 2016
Bus fare protest in Brazil's biggest city turns violent https://t.co/jHU1SmrdVXpic.twitter.com/ZF5Thsdh8v
— Reuters World (@ReutersWorld) January 9, 2016
Clashes at Brazil protests over fare hikes #nst170
https://t.co/a63eERevN6pic.twitter.com/a7ML72OzqG— New Straits Times (@NST_Online) January 9, 2016
Police fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the crowd of approximately 2,000 people in the country’s business centre, Sao Paulo.
At least ten people have reportedly been arrested. Two police officers have been injured.
The context
Brazil's debt is expected to reach 93% of GDP by 2019. Can a problem so vast be solved? https://t.co/q7ATmgc398pic.twitter.com/HePvqIbpry
— The Economist (@TheEconomist) January 9, 2016
Many people in Brazil are angry about the increase in public transport fares.
Inflation in the country is already running at more than ten percent.
Latin America’s largest economy is edging deeper into its worst recession in more than 25 years. More than 1.5 million Brazilians lost their jobs in the year to November 2015.
Brazil’s Libertarians Capitalize on Anti-Government Protests https://t.co/THyK9bfgi6 by
belenmarty</a> <a href="https://t.co/GkjZZcIU5v">pic.twitter.com/GkjZZcIU5v</a></p>— PanAm Post (PanAmPost) December 19, 2015
Protests sparked by anger over increases in public transport fares also swept Brazil in 2013.
Hundreds of thousands came out onto the streets.
The protests mushroomed into nationwide demonstrations against government corruption, the quality of public services and the billions being spent on hosting the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.
President facing impeachment
There were pretty large protests against Impeachment in #Brazil this week – hardly reported https://t.co/4Yjylk8z9I via sharethis
— Alistair Burnett (@afburnett) December 18, 2015
Brazil impeachment protests thinner but still determined https://t.co/pHnmOhATpjpic.twitter.com/hrGYs5ZDJ1
— globo fans (@RedeGlobodailys) December 21, 2015
Dilma Rousseff aims to kick-start #Brazil economy https://t.co/llXORvR8l3pic.twitter.com/s5j9KRPG11
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) January 6, 2016
The protests come as left-leaning President Dilma Rousseff faces impeachment proceedings in Congress.
Her popularity has been affected by the recession and a sweeping anti-corruption investigation involving her governing coalition.
Some political analysts say the mood on the streets could play an important role in determining the outcome of the impeachment process.