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Rousseff Says She Committed 'Errors,' but Not Crimes

05/12/2016 - 13h31

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MARINA DIAS
GUSTAVO URIBE
FROM BRASÍLIA

After receiving the notice that she would be removed from office, President Dilma Rousseff made an address to journalists on Thursday, May 12, in which she stated that she might have committed errors, but not "crimes" and, for that reason, she has been judged "unfairly" in a process which she classifies as a "coup."

"I might have committed errors, but I did not commit any crimes. I have been judged unfairly because I did everything that I could in compliance with the law," said Rousseff. "I now suffer the excruciating pain of injustice," said Rousseff, moved. "I will never give up fighting."

"I have already suffered the invisible pain of torture, the emotional pain of disease and now I suffer the excruciating pain of injustice. The worst pain at this moment is injustice. I realize that I am the victim of a judicial and political sham," said Rousseff.

"I can look at myself and see the face of someone who, although scared by time, still has the strength to fight for her beliefs and rights," she added.

Accompanied by ministers, governors and representatives of the PT and its allies, Rousseff also said the decision made by the Senate to suspend her mandate for up to 180 days would bring "risks to the country.

"The president, now removed from office, said that the impeachment process is "fraudulent" and her administration was "the target of intense, unceasing sabotage."

Rousseff repeated yet again that she was elected by 54 million Brazilians and that opposing parties, "who did not accept their defeat," "began to conspire" against her administration "impairing the recovery of the economy" and "to take by force what they did not manage to achieve at the ballot boxes."

Rousseff repeated that she will "fight until the end" to try to recover her mandate and govern the country until the last day of 2018.

She appealed to her supporters and said that "the fight for democracy does not have a date to end." "We will win."

Rousseff arrived at 9:48 a.m. at Palácio do Planalto, the official workplace of the President of Brazil. Shortly after 10:00 a.m., she was notified of her removal from office for up to 180 days so that the trial she will face for impeachable offense can begin.

Former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who accompanied Rousseff in this "farewell appearance," advised her not to walk down the Palácio do Planalto ramp. He believes it could convey the idea that her administration is over.

Rousseff worked on her speech during all morning on Wednesday, May 11. She consulted her closest allies on the tone she should use, but wrote the words of her last statement before leaving Palácio do Planalto herself.

Translated by THOMAS MUELLO

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