Petrobras' Trucks Targeted by 'Pro-Dictatorship' Group in February

06/01/2018 - 12h13

A legal proceeding filed by BR Distribuidora, a subsidiary of Brazilian state-run oil giant Petrobras, indicates that the participation of groups in favor of a military intervention in Brazil, which included road blockades by trucks, had been prepared for months.

In February, tank trucks were prevented from leaving at least one fuel distribution unit; three other units were threatened by "a group of people who defend the return of the military dictatorship in Brazil", according to the petition filed that month by BR with the courts of São João de Meriti (RJ).

The units targeted by the group are located in Fortaleza (CE), where a "full strike" took place, according to BR, Cubatão (SP), Duque de Caxias (RJ) and Araucaria, in the metropolitan region of Curitiba (PR).

"The main goal of protesters, who claim their protests are peaceful, is solely to prevent Petrobras Distribuidora's tank trucks from being loaded in order to affect the distribution of products to resellers, airports and public bodies. Their purpose is to attract attention to their cause," says BR's petition.

According to the proceeding, the distributor also reported that "the Intelligence Center of the Federal Police was aware of the existence of electronic messages stating the intention of certain individuals to organize demonstrations of such political nature during Carnival celebrations".

In another proceeding also filed in February, the AGU (Federal General Counsel) asked the courts to ensure the safety of the refinery in Araucaria, threatened by a five-page letter, addressed to several police authorities, sent by ACDB (Brazilian Citizenship and Defense Association), which supports a military intervention.

Ivanir Ramos, from ACDB, stated members of the association have infiltrated the recent truckers' movement. "We have 687 members infiltrated." He claims there are "70 thousand" supporters in the country.

Translated by ANA BEATRIZ DEMARIA

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