Brazil’s President orders soldiers deployed to stem protests to return to barracks

Embattled Brazilian President Michel Temer has ordered over 1,500 soldiers he deployed to stem violent protests back to the barracks after opposition accused him of trying to forcefully cling onto power.

Bloody clashes between police and protesters demanding Temer’s ouster amid allegations against him of corruption, forced him to sign an order to deploy troops late on Wednesday.

In a decree, Temer revoked the order on Thursday to deploy the soldiers “considering the halt to acts of destruction and violence and the subsequent re-establishment of law and order.”

Defense Minister Raul Jungmann insisted the deployment was necessary “to stop the barbarity” of the riots.

“We had no choice in order to prevent casualties among public servants and the destruction of public heritage,” Jungmann said.

Read also: BRAZIL: Clashes between police and protesters turn violent in Brasilia

Fiery mass demonstrations in Brazil turned violent when protesters calling for the ouster Temer clashed with police officers who were trying to restore order.

Protesters shouted “Out with Temer!” and carried signs calling for immediate direct presidential elections.

The clash witnessed the evacuation of some ministries as President Temer ordered the controversial deployment of soldiers to restore calm in the country’s capital, Brasilia.

Reports say the demonstrations is the most violent protest in Brasilia since anti-government demonstrations in 2013, as 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.

 

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