The Institutional Security Cabinet of the Presidency ordered a security sweep and reinforced measures at the Planalto Palace
11/14/2024
A man died and a vehicle was set on fire following explosions at Brasília’s Three Powers Plaza early Wednesday evening. Authorities sealed off the area, and the Federal Police have launched an investigation.
Francisco Wanderley Luiz, originally from Rio do Sul (Santa Catarina), was identified by Planalto Palace officials as the vehicle owner. Celina Leão, acting governor of the Federal District, reported that preliminary findings suggest Mr. Luiz approached the Supreme Court after the car explosion and, unable to gain entry, may have taken his own life using another explosive. Another line of the investigation considers whether the detonation happened as he attempted to throw the device.
The Federal District government noted that it is too early to determine whether Mr. Luiz acted as a “lone wolf,” as investigations continue. In 2020, Mr. Luiz ran for city council under the Liberal Party (PL). Records indicate he was present at the Supreme Court’s plenary session on August 24.
At around 7:30 p.m., local time, during the explosions, some Supreme Court justices were still in the building. President Lula was not at the Planalto Palace, which is nearby, but at the Alvorada Palace, the official presidential residence, roughly four kilometers away. The Lower House session was suspended in response to the incident.
Following the event, Supreme Court’s Chief Justice Luís Roberto Barroso called President Lula. Several justices, including Alexandre de Moraes, Gilmar Mendes, and Cristiano Zanin, met with the president, along with the Federal Police Director-General Andrei Rodrigues.
Amid suspicions that additional explosive devices might be scattered in the area, the Institutional Security Cabinet of the Presidency ordered a sweep and strengthened security at Planalto Palace and the Supreme Court.
*By Fabio Murakawa, Mariana Assis, Isadora Peron, Raphael Di Cunto, Marcelo Ribeiro — Brasília
Source: Valor International