MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Protestors interrupt Rousseff's speech and pledge to torpedo the World Cup

The Brazilian president is facing mounting protests and uncertainties about how the World Cup will evolve

President Dilma Rousseff was repeatedly interrupted while giving a speech by hecklers protesting the coming World Cup hosted by Brazil and who are demanding more funds should be invested in health care, education and improved transportation.

 “There will be no Cup” chanted protestors, adding “I'm giving up the Cup because I want more funds for health care and education”, interrupting the president. The event turned into a shouting competition with another group that chanted “Dilma, Dilma” in support of the president.

Friday's presidential agenda included the inauguration of facilities at a sea terminal in the state of Para, to the north of the country, where the Amazon meets the Atlantic, and later participation in an open day at a technical school at Miritituba-Barcarena.

“People, please, I understand, but not now please, I'm finishing my speech, I understand you”, begged the Brazilian president, adding that “in democracy everybody has the absolute right to express your thoughts, you also obviously, but I only want to request the following: people can protest, demonstrate, as long as they don't interfere with the majority that is silent”.

The president was at first patient and tolerant, but at the end clearly showed her annoyance. She finished the speech despite the heckling and followed with the agenda. The incident to a great extent came as a surprise because the state of Para is not considered as politically motivated or active as Rio, Minas Gerais, Sao Paulo or other states with large urban, industrial spaces.

Since last year's Confederation Cup, also hosted by Brazil, there has been a public opinion outcry about the huge sums invested in new stadiums and other related works while the quality of public services, including health care, education and transportation is considered deplorable: “European taxes for African services”.

In June 2013 hundreds of thousands took to the streets of Brazil's main cities to protest the billions invested in the Cup. A spontaneous outburst organized through the social networks that surprised the government, the political system and security forces.

President Rousseff is also under pressure from FIFA because of the delays in three stadiums, Sao Paulo, Curitiba and Cuiabá. However Rousseff insists that Brazil is ready to host the Cup, despite some minor inconveniences, “but we'll make it”

In a similar spirit the former renowned Brazilian striker, Ronaldo, who is a member of the World Cup organization committee has warned that the competition is not the 'salvation' for the many social challenges the country faces.

“Many Brazilians think that the Cup will be the salvation of the country with advances in education, healthcare and security. Yes, the Cup will leave some benefits, but it won't solve those problems”, said Ronaldo.

On Wednesday and Thursday one of the main tourist attractions of Rio do Janerio, the beach and neighborhood of Copacabana was beefed up with the military, following clashes between residents from nearby favelas (shanty towns) and police forces that killed two people.

Violence and clashes in one of the richest neighborhoods of Rio has roused doubts about Brazilian authorities capacity to guarantee security when tens of thousands of visitors are expected to flood the city for a month as of next 12 June. The situation also questions the success of the favelas 'pacification strategy' which has been under implementation by the state government with federal support for several years.