The attack on the (Federal Supreme Court) on November 13, 2024, in which bombs were detonated in Praça dos Três Poderes, highlighted the fragility of institutional security and highlighted the growth of radicalization of the Brazilian right.
Francisco Wanderley Luiz, responsible for the attack, and had run for councilor for the PL in 2020.
The situation, when radical groups invaded and vandalized the headquarters of the three Powers. This time, the approach was different: a solitary and desperate attack, but one that is part of a larger pattern of political violence and disinformation that weakens Brazilian democracy.
Analysis of the repercussion of the attack on social media, carried out through the Palver platform, reveals a coordinated movement in right-wing groups in and to disassociate the attacker from Bolsonarism.
Messages spread quickly, mocking what had happened, questioning the veracity of the attack and spreading false news that Francisco Luiz had been killed by STF agents. The volume of messages was significant: mentions of the STF quadrupled in the 16 hours following the attack, and a large part of these interactions aimed to sow confusion and distrust.
This is not an isolated fact. Misinformation about the STF has been a constant throughout the year, with narratives that distort public perception about the court’s decisions.
When the STF ruled, a flood of false videos and messages spread on social media, claiming that the decision benefited drug dealers and allowed the use of drugs without any regulation. These messages have inflamed resentment that translates into support for extreme acts like the one in November.
The 2024 American elections were also used as a pretext to fuel expectations of an intervention against the STF, reviving narratives of 2023.
Old and decontextualized messages were widely distributed, suggesting that the new president of the United States would intervene against Brazilian institutions, in a shared delusion fueled by misinformation.
The attack also generated a rebound effect towards the right field. It became the focus of intense discussion in WhatsApp groups.
Analysis of the messages reveals a mostly negative perception towards the PEC, with many users expressing indignation and rejection of the idea of amnesty for those responsible for the attacks.
Among the messages analyzed, the vast majority presented a position against amnesty, with phrases such as “no amnesty” and “never forgive” being recurrent. This negative reaction demonstrates significant resistance among users to the idea of impunity.
The November attack is a clear sign of the threat to democracy posed by radicalization and disinformation.
To face this crisis, coordinated action between digital platforms, civil society and authorities is essential.
The fight against disinformation cannot be superficial, as it is precisely this superficiality that fuels resentment and creates the right environment for attacks like the one on November 13th.
Defending truth and democracy means promoting fact-based public debate and dismantling the disinformation machine that threatens our future.
Brazil finds itself at a critical moment, in which confronting political violence and disinformation is urgent to guarantee the integrity of institutions and society’s trust. Only through joint and determined action will we be able to build a safer political environment committed to democratic principles.
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