{O/C} Over to Brazil, where incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro remains mum over his election defeat as pro-Bolsonaro truckers blockaded highways in protest against his loss.
{Take SOT}
The deafening silence enveloping Brazil ever since the polarising presidential vote was briefly shattered by the fiery protests by pro-Bolsonaro truckers.
Tyres were set on fire on highways, with roadblocks set up as protests spilled over to twenty states across the country.
This marked a forceful display of defiance against the victory of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the Sunday presidential runoff.
They're calling for a military coup to prevent Lula from becoming president.
The 77-year-old left-leaning former leader secured 50.9 percent of the vote, with Bolsonaro's at 49.1 percent.
While the incumbent president remains silent and has yet to formally concede defeat, word has it that Bolsonaro is still undecided whether to speak out on the election's results.
But experts say it is clear the president's room for dispute is dwindling.
Much like former U.S. President Donald Trump, whom Bolsonaro admires, he before the election made unfounded allegations the electronic voting system was fraudulent.
{Upsound
On the streets of Sao Paulo, ecstatic supporters of Lula da Silva celebrated with a vengeance following the former leader's spectacular comeback.
This, after corruption convictions that were later revoked.
Responding to a battery of Brazilian election inquiries, the U.S. State Department stressed Brazil will remain America's partner, whatever the election outcome.
{Soundbite}
NED PRICE, U.S. State Department Spokesperson:
A hallmark of every democracy is acceptance of the will of the people as expressed through elections, followed by a peaceful transfer of power.
Brazil is an important partner of the United States, and we will look forward to working with the government.
Comments