JAKARTA - Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was sworn in as President of Brazil on Sunday, delivering scathing charges against former far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro and vowing to make drastic changes to save a country hit by hunger, poverty and racism.
In his speech to Congress after officially taking control of the largest country in Latin America, CLA said democracy was the true winner of the October presidential election, when he defeated Bolsonaro in the fiercest election of a generation.
Bolsonaro, who left Brazil for the United States on Friday after refusing to admit defeat, rocked Brazil's youth democracy cages with baseless claims about the weaknesses of the elections that gave birth to the strong movements of election deniers.
"Democracy is a major winner in this election, overcoming the most cruel threat to freedom of choice, and the most despicable campaign of lies and hatred planned to manipulate and embarrass voters," CLA told lawmakers.
Lula, who was behind bars during Bolsonaro's 2019 inauguration on corruption charges which were later dropped, made a covert threat to his predecessor.
Bolsonaro faces increased legal risks over his anti-democracy rhetoric and its handling of the current pandemic as he no longer has the president's immunity. The former president's trip to Florida protected him from direct legal harm in Brazil.
"We do not bring a spirit of revenge against those who try to conquer the nation with their personal and ideological designs, but we will guarantee the rule of law," said Lula, without naming his predecessor.
"Those who make mistakes will answer their mistakes," he said.
He also accused the Bolsonaro government of "genocide" for failing to respond well to the COVID-19 virus that killed more than 680,000 Brazilians.
"The responsibility for this genocide must be investigated and should not be left alone," he said.
Luci's plans for governance are in stark contrast to Bolsonaro's four years in office, characterized by a setback for environmental protection in the Amazon rainforest, a looser law of arms, and weaker protection for indigenous peoples and minorities.
After taking the oath, President Lula rode an open-door Rolls-Royce to the Plan Palace, where he walked up his incline with his wife and a diverse group, including the Head of Raoni Metuktire from the Kayapan Tribe.
Lula was then handed over by the presidency - a huge symbolic act in Brazil which Bolsonaro repeatedly said he would never do - by Aline Sousa, a black scavenger.
Tens of thousands of people gathered to celebrate on the open field of Brasilia cheered as Lula wipes tears.
It is known that CLA's inauguration took place amid increased security, after several Bolsonaro supporters claimed the election was stolen and called for a military coup to stop Lula from taking office in the climate of vandalism and violence.
On Saturday evening, President Hamilton Mourao, vice president Bolsonaro, criticized his former boss for allowing anti-democracy sentiment to develop after his election defeat.
"Leaders who should convince and unite the nation, allow inappropriate and destructive silence or protagonism to create an atmosphere of chaos and social disintegration," said Mourao.
The election victory of CLA marks a stunning return to politics, winning an unprecedented third term after a pause that saw him spend a year behind bars.
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