Brazil: Chief Justice Condemns Calls for 'Military Intervention' in Truck Drivers' Strike

Carmen Lucia, the president of Brazil's Supreme Court (STF), has condemned calls for a “military intervention,” which were made in reference to the ongoing truck drivers' strike. During the opening session of the court Wednesday, she said democracy is "the only legitimate way" to overcome the "grave moment" of the country.

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She noted that the STF is continuing to exercise its mission "with deep concern, attention, and responsibility before the serious political, economic and social moment experienced by the citizens," according to Yahoo Noticias.

Embroiled in an economic and political crisis and a slew of corruption scandals, such as the Car Wash investigations, Lucia urged people to guard against expressing a type of “nostalgia” for the military regime (1964 – 1985).

"We only have nostalgia for what was good (...) in the history of our country. Regimes void of rights are part of a past that can not be forgotten, although we do not want to remember it... Democracy is not in question(...), democracy is the only legitimate way."

She concluded that democracies are also subject to crises, “but the union of citizens should solve these difficulties.”

On April 4, two days before former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva surrendered to federal police, Lucia voted against his habeas corpus appeal.

The ongoing truck drivers' strike, which has paralyzed Brazil's economy, is going on its 11th day on Thursday. Food, medicine, and fuel shortages have been witnessed in different parts of the country.

A special task force involving segments of the armed forces, federal highway police, and military police are escorted 300 trucks containing perishable foods to the city of Rio de Janeiro. The primary destination is the Central Food Supply (Ceasa) of Iraja, which is the primary food sale center in the town.

On Monday, 90 percent of Ceasa centers did not open their doors due to food shortages. Apart from causing food and fuel shortages throughout the country, the truck drivers' strike has also caused price gauging.

Meanwhile, oil workers announced that they would begin their 72-hour strike on Wednesday.