Brazil’s attempted coup was thwarted by Lula’s decisive action, minister says

Alexandre Padilha says insurrection by Bolsonaro supporters was well-organized act of terrorism' aimed at toppling government

The insurrection that shook Brazil's capital was a well-organised coup attempt that was thwarted thanks to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's swift and firm reaction, one of the president's top ministers has told the Guardian.

Speaking at the presidential palace on Tuesday, the minister of institutional relations, Alexandre Padilha, said he believed Sunday's far-right assault on the three branches of Brazil's government was an act of terrorism" designed to bring down Lula's week-old government.