Numerous roadblocks by drivers and demonstrators blocked highways across Brazil today, with some protesters making it clear they did not accept Jair Bolsonaro's loss to Lula da Silva in the second round of the presidential election yesterday, AFP reported.

Highways in at least 12 of Brazil's 27 states had roadblocks overnight, the federal traffic police said.

According to her, at midday there were still 47 blockades, some of them on the highway connecting Rio de Janeiro with Brazil's economic capital Sao Paulo. 

In the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, where Bolsonaro has enjoyed strong support, dozens of protesters wearing T-shirts bearing his image have blocked a local highway with trucks and other vehicles.

An AFP photographer said they sang the national anthem and refused to speak to journalists.

A highway operator in the state of Mato Grosso, which also supported the far-right candidate, reported blockades of burning tires, trucks, cars and buses.

In another state that voted for Bolsonaro, Paraná, blockades were lifted on at least eight arterial roads, but there were reports that a group of protesters headed for other road junctions.

At this stage, it cannot be determined whether these demonstrations were coordinated by a specific political group or arose spontaneously, although some of the protesters openly demonstrated bias towards the Bolsonaro camp.

More than 16 hours after the official results were announced, Jair Bolsonaro has yet to recognize Lula's victory, unlike a large number of his government allies and heads of state around the world.

Lula won Brazil's presidential election

Jair Bolsonaro, who will serve as acting president until the handover of power on January 1 next year, lost the election by a narrow margin.

He received 49.1 of the votes, and his opponent - 50.9%.

Bolsonaro arrived today at the presidential palace in Planalto without making a comment, an AFP photographer reported.

The country's road closures bring back memories of the fuel price strike that paralyzed Brazil in 2018.

Winner Lula da Silva commented on Bolsonaro's silence, saying he was troubled by previous statements by him that he would not accept the results if he did not win.

Uncertainty after the announcement of the results led to fluctuations in the largest Latin American exchange in Sao Paulo, which started the day in the red and subsequently registered a rise of 0.40%, notes BTA.

Brazil

Lula da Silva

Jair Bolsonaro