Brazil guarantees fuel supplies, moves to protect refineries from protesters - S&P Global
Brazil's Mines and Energy Ministry and state-led oil company Petrobras guaranteed refinery operations and fuel-distribution services across Latin America's biggest country amid threats of supply disruptions from protesters linked to former president Jair Bolsonaro, according to S&P Global.
Federal, state, and military police were sent to guard the entrance and exits of several key refineries and supply terminals in Amazonas, Minas Gerais, Parana, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, and Sao Paulo states, according to government and police officials.
The moves followed threats of disruption and violence by supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who lost a second-round runoff to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, or Lula, in October. Bolsonaro's supporters, who claim the election was stolen, invaded Brazil's Congress, Supreme Court and Planalto presidential palace in Brasilia Jan. 8.
The Mines and Energy Ministry "guaranteed normal national fuel supplies and the adequate functioning of refineries, terminals and distribution bases," Minister Alexandre Silveira said in a statement late Jan. 8. "In addition to monitoring the status of protests, we remain vigilant and in contact with other entities and states to ensure supplies."
State-led oil company Petrobras also confirmed that refineries were operating normally as of Jan. 8. "Refineries are operating normally," Petrobras said in a statement Jan. 8. "Petrobras is taking all preventive measures according to standard procedures."
