Brazil Truckers Block Traffic After Bolsonaro Loss

Brazilian truckers supportive of President Jair Bolsonaro blocked hundreds of roads early Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, to protest his election loss to former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Diane Jeantet reported for the Associated Press (AP).

Photo Insert: Since the leftist da Silva’s victory Sunday night, many truck drivers have jammed traffic in areas across the country and said they won’t acknowledge Bolsonaro’s defeat.

Since the leftist da Silva’s victory Sunday night, many truck drivers have jammed traffic in areas across the country and said they won’t acknowledge Bolsonaro’s defeat. Bolsonaro hasn’t spoken publicly since official results were released roughly 36 hours ago, nor phoned da Silva to concede.

Bolsonaro lost the race by a thin margin, garnering 49.1% of the vote to da Silva’s 50.9%. It was the tightest presidential race since Brazil’s return to democracy over three decades ago.

Much like former U.S. President Donald Trump, whom Bolsonaro openly admires, the far-right incumbent repeatedly questioned the reliability of the country’s electoral system, claiming electronic voting machines are prone to fraud.

He never provided any proof, even when ordered to do so by the electoral court.

The highway to and from the international airport in Sao Paulo – Brazil’s most populous state and largest economy – was blocked and dozens of flights were canceled. Videos on social media showed travelers rolling their suitcases at night along the highway to the airport.

Access was partially reestablished as of 8 a.m. local time.

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