Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro, who lost the presidential election to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva following an election run-off on October 30, has urged protesting truckers blocking roads to clear the routes. He told them to protest elsewhere since the bloackades are restricting people's movement and costing the economy.

Blockades came up across the country after Bolsonaro lost to da Silva. It has been three days since the obstructions and considerable disruption has been caused to the transport of goods, including food and fuel.

Bolsonaro posted a video on social media and said that he understood people's frustration at the election results.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-lula-defeats-bolsonaro-by-a-narrow-vote-to-win-presidential-election-529729">Lula defeats Bolsonaro by narrow margin to win presidential election</a>

"I know you are upset... Me too. But we have to keep our heads straight," he said on a tweeted message. "I will make an appeal to you: clear the highways."

He added that protesting in this manner makes them illegitimate and that they should find other ways to register their disagreement. He also thanked the people for their support and welcomed the various anti-Lula rallies that have been taking place.&nbsp;

Bolsonaro said the Federal Highway Police (PRF) was helping to dispel protesters and clear roads. But since the blockades have been erected in multiple locations, the authorities are finding it difficult to handle the task by themselves. "The difficulties are enormous", he said.

The PRF said they have made some progress and managed to clear a few routes and protesters are blocking highways partially or fully in 126 locations as of Wednesday evening, down from around 190 the previous night. The police informed that they have cleared 732 roadblocks across the country, and roads still remain blocked or partially blocked in 14 of Brazil's 26 states.&nbsp;

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Authorities have flagged shortages that are likely to crop up due to the protests. Anvisa, the national health agency, warned that there could be a shortage of medical supplies. Abear, a trade group representing Brazilian airlines, warned that the jet fuel supplies may be compromised.

ANP, the oil regulator, changed rules related to minimum fuel storage requirements and relaxed cooking gas bottling requirements to prevent potential energy shortages.&nbsp;

Bolsonaro's policies on lower fuel prices have made him popular among truckers. Earlier on Tuesday, he had said that the protests are a result of "indignation and a sense of injustice" over the vote.&nbsp;Some of the protesters have even called for military intervention to keep Bolsonaro in power.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro, who lost the presidential election to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva following an election run-off on October 30, has urged protesting truckers blocking roads to clear the routes.

Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro, who lost the presidential election to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva following an election run-off on October 30, has urged protesting truckers blocking roads to clear the routes. He told them to protest elsewhere since the bloackades are restricting people's movement and costing the economy. Blockades came up across the country after Bolsonaro lost to da Silva. It has been three days since the obstructions and considerable disruption has been caused to the transport of goods, including food and fuel. Bolsonaro posted a video on social media and said that he understood people's frustration at the election results. Also Read | Lula defeats Bolsonaro by narrow margin to win presidential election "I know you are upset... Me too. But we have to keep our heads straight," he said on a tweeted message. "I will make an appeal to you: clear the highways." He added that protesting in this manner makes them illegitimate and that they should find other ways to register their disagreement. He also thanked the people for their support and welcomed the various anti-Lula rallies that have been taking place. Bolsonaro said the Federal Highway Police (PRF) was helping to dispel protesters and clear roads. But since the blockades have been erected in multiple locations, the authorities are finding it difficult to handle the task by themselves. "The difficulties are enormous", he said. The PRF said they have made some progress and managed to clear a few routes and protesters are blocking highways partially or fully in 126 locations as of Wednesday evening, down from around 190 the previous night. The police informed that they have cleared 732 roadblocks across the country, and roads still remain blocked or partially blocked in 14 of Brazil's 26 states. × Authorities have flagged shortages that are likely to crop up due to the protests. Anvisa, the national health agency, warned that there could be a shortage of medical supplies. Abear, a trade group representing Brazilian airlines, warned that the jet fuel supplies may be compromised. ANP, the oil regulator, changed rules related to minimum fuel storage requirements and relaxed cooking gas bottling requirements to prevent potential energy shortages. Bolsonaro's policies on lower fuel prices have made him popular among truckers. Earlier on Tuesday, he had said that the protests are a result of "indignation and a sense of injustice" over the vote. Some of the protesters have even called for military intervention to keep Bolsonaro in power. (With inputs from agencies)

Bolsonaro urges protesting truckers to remove blockades from roads

Brazil is all set to vote for the second round of elections. The country is witnessing a fierce fight between the incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro and his opponent Lula Da Silva. The duo will face each other in a final debate on Friday night ahead of the second round.

Brazil polls: Jair Bolsonaro holds last campaign rally

The army general tapped by Brazil's far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro to be defence minister said on Wednesday that snipers should be deployed to take down armed criminal suspects.

His comments came after the far-right governor-elect of Rio de Janeiro, Wilson Witzel, met with criticism after announcing he would deploy police snipers to shoot suspects even if officers' lives are not in danger.

"It's a necessary reaction to the ostentatious display of weapons of war, often in the hands of young people," retired general Augusto Heleno told Radio Nacional.

"It's not about killing indiscriminately. You need well-established criteria," he added.

"Police in Rio are very brave... But they need another kind of support."

Rio de Janeiro's impoverished "favela" neighbourhoods are regular scenes of combat-style confrontations between heavily armed drug traffickers and security forces.

Witzel, a vocal Bolsonaro backer, was elected alongside him Sunday after both campaigned on hardline platforms that tapped outrage over violent crime.

Following through on a campaign pledge, the governor-elect said he would instruct police and soldiers to open fire on armed suspects, even if it meant shooting them in the back unprovoked.

"I'd rather defend officers in the courts than go to their funerals," he said in an interview Monday night with TV network Globonews.

He also proposed deploying snipers in helicopters to shoot suspects from above during police operations against drug traffickers.

Asked if his plan included shooting suspects in the back, he said: "Gun in hand? He's a threat. He's going to use that gun to attack anyone who's in front of him."

In February, President Michel Temer deployed the army to Rio to try to gain the upper hand in the bloody war on drug trafficking. Witzel said he wants to extend that 10-month emergency deployment by another 10 months.

In a country that registered a record 63,880 murders last year, many Brazilians are fed up with violent crime - a big factor in Bolsonaro's victory, and those of 12 far-right governors swept to office with him.

But rights activists said Witzel's proposals were not even legal.

"Giving prior authorization to automatically kill anyone who may be armed when there is no imminent risk to life is an affront to Brazilian and international law," Amnesty International said in a statement.

"It would only result in an escalation of violence and put hundreds of thousands of people's lives at risk, including those of the officers themselves." Witzel, a little-known federal judge, surged to victory in Brazil's "Bolsonaro wave" after declaring his fervent support for the far-right former army captain.

Bolsonaro's own crime-fighting proposals include relaxing gun-control laws so "good people" can take justice into their own hands.

"Those who don't respect the law need to understand they will be held responsible, either before the law or by being taken down," he said Monday in his first interview as president-elect.

The army general tapped by Brazil's far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro to be defence minister said on Wednesday that snipers should be deployed to take down armed criminal suspects.

The army general tapped by Brazil's far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro to be defence minister said on Wednesday that snipers should be deployed to take down armed criminal suspects. His comments came after the far-right governor-elect of Rio de Janeiro, Wilson Witzel, met with criticism after announcing he would deploy police snipers to shoot suspects even if officers' lives are not in danger. "It's a necessary reaction to the ostentatious display of weapons of war, often in the hands of young people," retired general Augusto Heleno told Radio Nacional. "It's not about killing indiscriminately. You need well-established criteria," he added. "Police in Rio are very brave... But they need another kind of support." Rio de Janeiro's impoverished "favela" neighbourhoods are regular scenes of combat-style confrontations between heavily armed drug traffickers and security forces. Witzel, a vocal Bolsonaro backer, was elected alongside him Sunday after both campaigned on hardline platforms that tapped outrage over violent crime. Following through on a campaign pledge, the governor-elect said he would instruct police and soldiers to open fire on armed suspects, even if it meant shooting them in the back unprovoked. "I'd rather defend officers in the courts than go to their funerals," he said in an interview Monday night with TV network Globonews. He also proposed deploying snipers in helicopters to shoot suspects from above during police operations against drug traffickers. Asked if his plan included shooting suspects in the back, he said: "Gun in hand? He's a threat. He's going to use that gun to attack anyone who's in front of him." In February, President Michel Temer deployed the army to Rio to try to gain the upper hand in the bloody war on drug trafficking. Witzel said he wants to extend that 10-month emergency deployment by another 10 months. In a country that registered a record 63,880 murders last year, many Brazilians are fed up with violent crime - a big factor in Bolsonaro's victory, and those of 12 far-right governors swept to office with him. But rights activists said Witzel's proposals were not even legal. "Giving prior authorization to automatically kill anyone who may be armed when there is no imminent risk to life is an affront to Brazilian and international law," Amnesty International said in a statement. "It would only result in an escalation of violence and put hundreds of thousands of people's lives at risk, including those of the officers themselves." Witzel, a little-known federal judge, surged to victory in Brazil's "Bolsonaro wave" after declaring his fervent support for the far-right former army captain. Bolsonaro's own crime-fighting proposals include relaxing gun-control laws so "good people" can take justice into their own hands. "Those who don't respect the law need to understand they will be held responsible, either before the law or by being taken down," he said Monday in his first interview as president-elect.

Brazil's next defence minister wants snipers to take out criminals

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Bolsonaro urges protesting truckers to remove blockades from roads

Brazil polls: Jair Bolsonaro holds last campaign rally

Brazil's next defence minister wants snipers to take out criminals