Troops called in to quell Brazil protests

Brazil’s government was today poised to send in troops to control protests and riots sweeping the country — as President Dilma Rousseff praised peaceful demonstrators.

Nearly 250,000 people have taken to the streets as initial anger over a rise in bus fares exploded into demands for better public services and an end to corruption, and anger at huge spending on the World Cup.

A military security force will be deployed in Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Bahia and Ceara states, and capital Brasilia — all of which are hosting international football games in the Confederations Cup. Yesterday, shops and banks in São Paulo, were vandalised by masked activists, who fought other protesters trying to stop them.

In London, hundreds of Brazilians gathered at the Houses of Parliament in support of the demonstrations.

Ms Rousseff said: “Brazil today woke up stronger. Those who took to the streets delivered a message to society and government. The massive size of yesterday’s protests proves the energy of our democracy ... and the civility of our population.”