2002 Esteiran self-coup d'état
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2002 Esteiran self-coup d'état | |||||||
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Part of the Internal conflict in Esteira | |||||||
National Police mounted officers move to secure a street in Porto Verde | |||||||
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Parties to the civil conflict | |||||||
Esteiran National Police Esteiran Military Forces Pro-Souza protestors |
Anti-Souza protestors | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Luis Souza Horácio Fidalgo Jorginho Almeida |
Mariana Agostinho Danilo Brandão Cristiano Siqueira Jaqueline Nogueira | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
Thousands of soldiers Hundreds of policemen Tanks Armored personnel carriers | Thousands of protestors | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
9 soldiers killed 4 policemen killed Tens wounded |
79 civilians killed Hundreds wounded Thousands arrested |
The 2002 Esteiran self-coup d'état, also known as A Aquisição (The Takeover), took place on April 4, 2002 when President Luis Souza ordered the Esteiran National Police and the Esteiran Military Forces to seize control of Esteira's legislative and judicial bodies. Souza also ordered the arrest of political opponents, including the leaders of the National Liberal Party. A self-coup, Souza headed an emergency session of the National People's Assembly that was attended by only members of his party, the Esteiran People's Party, and was granted widespread dictatorial powers through the National Security and Stable Leadership Act of 2002.
Nationwide demonstrations began soon after the news broke of the self-coup and was met with heavy resistance from the National Police, military, and pro-Souza demonstrators. The ensuing violence led to the deaths of 79 civilians, with hundreds more wounded and thousands arrested. The demonstrations came to an end on April 11, 2002.