Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff has struck a note of warning, saying there will be no tolerance for vandalism in protests during the FIFA World Cup, starting on Thursday.
During the inauguration of a subway line in Salvador, one of the 12 World Cup host cities, Ms. Rousseff said that the government would respect people’s right to protest, but would not tolerate “those who think they can practice acts of vandalism and prevent people’s right to watch and enjoy the World Cup”, reports Xinhua .
She said that the “pessimists” who questioned her country’s ability to host the FIFA World Cup have “lost” and were proven wrong because of the Brazilian peoples constant hard work and determination.
She stressed that even during the preparation for the World Cup, the government had not stopped investing in health and education sectors.
Ms. Roussef said that the World Cup will bring revenues for her country and wished luck to the national team, which will play its first match Thursday afternoon, against Croatia.