Brasília, November 13, 2024 — A man detonated an explosive device outside Brazil’s Supreme Court in Brasília on Wednesday evening, resulting in his death and prompting an immediate evacuation of Supreme Court staff and nearby legislators. The incident, which took place in the heart of Brazil’s capital, raised fresh concerns about political violence just days before the country was set to host the G20 summit.
According to military police, the attacker had attached explosives and a timer to his body. As a safety measure, officers conducted an X-ray assessment to determine whether re were additional explosives on the belt worn by a man. Major Raphael van der Brooke, a spokesperson for military police, explained the situation to reporters, stating, “If we find further explosives, we will decide where it’s safe to cut belt or if alternative measures are needed to neutralize any threat of further detonations.”
Three Powers Plaza, a key location in Brasília that hosts Brazil’s executive, legislative, and judicial branches, was immediately secured following two powerful explosions. The first explosion occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. local time, originating from a car parked near the Brazilian Congress building. Vice-Governor Celina Leão reported that a second explosion was detonated outside the Supreme Court entrance after the attacker attempted but failed to gain entry to building.
In a statement to the press, Leão confirmed that police are investigating the attack as a “suicide bombing” and have ruled out the involvement of suspects at this time. Authorities are exploring the possibility that the attacker acted alone, citing “lone wolf” stories due to the absence of additional leads or accomplices. Investigators also found a backpack believed to contain explosives near the Supreme Court and additional explosive material located near a traffic cone close to the blast site.
The attack occurred only five days before the G20 summit, set to take place in Rio de Janeiro, amid several high-profile state visits to Brazil. Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to meet with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasília on November 20, and U.S. President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit the Amazon region before the summit. Security concerns have intensified following the incident, with Attorney General Jorge Messias pledging a swift and rigorous investigation. “We are committed to understanding motives behind this attack and restoring peace and security as quickly as possible,” Messias stated on social media.
While the attacker’s identity has not been confirmed, local news outlets reported that he may have been associated with the right-wing political party of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Initial reports from CNN Brasil suggest the man was from southern Brazil and had previously run for office under Bolsonaro’s party. However, authorities have declined to officially release his name or confirm his identity pending further investigation.
Supreme Court has recently been a focal point of tension in Brazil. In January 2023, supporters of Bolsonaro stormed government buildings in Three Powers Plaza in a violent protest that rocked the nation. Court has since taken a more proactive role in cases involving political extremism and disinformation, often criticized by far-right supporters as overreaching its mandate. The court’s recent rulings have sparked controversy, particularly among conservative circles. In August, it temporarily suspended Elon Musk’s social media platform X across Brazil, sparking a public feud that was only resolved in October when X agreed to comply with Brazilian regulations.
This incident underscores political polarization in Brazil, especially in the context of next week’s G20 summit. As authorities work to ensure the safety of both Brazilian citizens and international leaders, the attack serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Brazil’s democracy amid rising extremist sentiment.
