Brazil federal police ups protection of presidential candidates

Brazil's federal police will implement special security measures for presidential candidates as fears of politically motivated violence are rising. 

"The polarization and political animosity in Brazil has increased a lot. It's not possible for any presidential candidate to go out to campaign without being protected by a strong security system and bulletproof vests," Carlos Melo, a political science professor at São Paulo business school Insper, told BNamericas.

Normally, police security for candidates becomes available at the start of the campaign, on August 16, but political parties may request protection from now on. 

The frontrunners, former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and President Jair Bolsonaro, are seen as most exposed. 

The changes come after a treasurer for the Workers' Party in Foz do Iguaçu was killed during a Lula-themed birthday party. State police said a court police officer opened fire, killing the treasurer, who also worked as municipal guard. The court police officer identified as Bolsonaro supporter.

Although urban and political violence has been widespread for decades, presidential candidates were not at high risk. They routinely could shake hands in the streets, surrounded by a multitude of supporters, without any extra protection. 

Violence became a factor during the 2018 campaign, when Bolsonaro was stabbed in Minas Gerais, forcing him to undergo emergency surgery. The attacker appeared to be mentally ill.

Bolsonaro is also fueling anger by raising suspicions against the use of voting machines in an attempt to contest the results, according to political analysts.

"The high tension scenario for the October elections is already in place. Any situation, even if localized, involving a single electronic ballot box, will be a reason for attempts to question the final results of the elections," said Melo. 

Photo credit: AFP