Hundreds of supporters of far-right former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro invaded Congress, the Supreme Court, and the presidential palace on Sunday in a spectacle reminiscent of the Capitol Riots in the United States on January 6.

The assault occurs a week after Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, better known by his stage name Lula, became president, and it coincides with pro-Bolsonaro activists’ refusal to recognise the election results.

After the protesters marched from army headquarters to the Three Powers Plaza, police used tear gas to repel them. Rioters were dressed in the colours of the Brazilian flag and tore down barriers and shattered storefronts.

There have been no reports as of 3:40 p.m. ET as to whether the rioters are still inside the government facilities.

Using the phrase “coup-mongering terrorists,” Brazilian television caster Erick Bang claimed that viewers were “witnessing a terrorist attack.”

Bolsonaro, who held office from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2022, has been compared to former U.S. President Donald Trump since his ascent to the global arena since both rejected election results despite the absence of any proof of fraud.

As a result of his involvement in the Capitol Riots, Trump could face criminal charges, and many of his fans are still refusing to recognise the outcome of the 2020 election. A military coup has even been called for by certain Bolsonaro supporters who have refused to accept the results of the election in October.

Brazilian elections were quite close. Bolsonaro received 58,206,354 votes, whereas Lula received 60,345,999.

Lula, who has promised to mend a nation devastated by political warfare, is in the state of Sao Paulo on business.

Bolsonaro, who is under investigation as he serves out his term, has apparently been residing in Orlando lately.