Federal highways are free of interdictions, says PRF

The PRF (Federal Highway Police) reported this Wednesday morning (9) that all federal highways in the country are free of blockages and interdictions, after ten days of anti-democratic demonstrations that contested the election result.

The police had already announced the absence of total blockades across the country on Thursday (3), but some roads still registered partial obstructions and others were completely blocked again. Rondônia, Mato Grosso and Paraná were the last states to have highways released.

On Sunday, supporters of President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) began blocking roads for not accepting the victory of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) in the presidential elections. Throughout the week, at least 25 states and the Federal District registered protest points.

The action of bolsonaristas caused inconvenience throughout the country and caused a shortage of products. Retail sector associations moved to secure stocks of medicines and food.

In the restaurant sector, the most worrying situation was in Santa Catarina. The state, which led the demonstrations last week, began Monday (7) with all its federal highways cleared. In mid-morning, however, the state PRF reported that protesters had completely blocked km 139 of the BR-470, in front of Havan in Rio do Sul (SC). By late afternoon, traffic on the stretch had been released again after a confrontation with the police.

In Paraná, there was a lack of meat and fish. In Tocantins and in some states in the Northeast, supplies were lacking last week, according to Abrasel (Brazilian Association of Bars and Restaurants).

The association reported that, in other locations, there were alerts for possible delays and cancellations of deliveries. Paulo Solmucci, CEO of Abrasel, believes that the situation was not worse because many bars and restaurants had already significantly stocked up because of the holiday.

In recent days, bolsonaristas have called the population for a “general strike” and asked for the adhesion of businessmen. The appeal had no effect: there were no closures of industries or stores that had been notified to Ciesp (Center of Industries of the State of São Paulo), to Fiesp (Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo) or to FecomércioSP.