Violent protests erupt in Brazil over transport fares

Violent potests erupted in Brazil on Friday evening over increased bus fare in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the two biggest cities in the country.

The new fare which is just under a dollar comes as Brazil’s economy is in recession and people struggle with prices that already rose more than 10 percent in 2015.

The scenes were reminiscent of protests that rocked Brazil in 2013 sparked by anger over a hike in bus fare.

Brazil: Protests against transport fare increase turn violent in Sao Paulo https://t.co/LSYkoNa5EH pic.twitter.com/fw6XAoy6vq

— IBTimes UK (@IBTimesUK) January 9, 2016

More than 1.5 million Brazilians lost their jobs last year as Latin America’s largest economy edged deeper into its worst recession in more than 25 years.

Clashes at Brazil protests over fare hikes #nst170
https://t.co/a63eERevN6 pic.twitter.com/a7ML72OzqG

— New Straits Times (@NST_Online) January 9, 2016

The demonstrations come as President Dilma Rousseff, whose popularity has tumbled over the recession, is facing impeachment proceedings in Congress.

Some political analysts say the mood on the streets towards her government could play an important role in determining the outcome of the impeachment process.