We warned that 2022 would be the year from political hell. There has been another assassination, but this time in Brazil. Brazil’s leftist opposition Workers’ Party (PT) Marcelo Arruda was enjoying his birthday celebration in the city of Foz de Iguacu, Parana, when he was shot dead.
Jorge Jose da Rocha Guaranho is responsible for the shooting. Reports state that the two men had some sort of disagreement that led to gunfire from both sides. Gurarnho was also shot but lived to tell the tale, although he was originally declared dead by the media. Arruda died on the scene. Yet, there may be more at play. Witnesses say that the murderer showed up uninvited and began shouting insults at the politician while praising far-right President Bolsonaro. He left the party but returned shortly after to kill Arruda.
“Another dear comrade passed away this morning, a victim of intolerance, hatred and political violence,” Gleisi Hoffmann, the PT’s national president, stated.
This comes before Brazil’s presidential election in October, which is likely to bring more violence and civil unrest. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is the current PT candidate and is leading in the polls ahead of Bolsonaro. However, Bolsonaro hinted that he may not accept defeat and plans to remain in power. In response to the shootings, Bolsonaro tweeted: “I ask these types of people, for consistency, to change sides and support the left.” Things are getting ugly.
