Federal Police inquiry sought as threats force Ana Elisa offline

Federal Police inquiry sought as threats force Ana Elisa offline
Brazil’s Justice Ministry has asked the Federal Police to investigate online death and rape threats against Ana Elisa Santos Silva, a 21-year-old incoming federal deputy for the Workers’ Party (PT) from Minas Gerais. Both accounts report that the threats prompted her to deactivate her X account and that authorities were asked to seek action from major platforms and identify those responsible.

The report published by a right-leaning outlet emphasizes the formal legal basis for federal involvement. It cites the ministry’s assessment that alleged online misogynistic crimes fall under federal jurisdiction, and says the threats were linked to Santos Silva’s political activity. The ministry’s letter said she had received threats “every two minutes” and feared for her physical safety. The same account notes that personal information was publicly exposed and that one alleged sender claimed affiliation with a white-supremacist group.

A left-leaning report presents the investigation request as part of a wider concern about political violence against women. It says the attacks intensified after Santos Silva became directly involved in President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s re-election campaign and in online opposition to the far right. Quoting Justice Ministry official Sheila de Carvalho, it reports “strong indications of a network beyond the borders of Minas Gerais” seeking to silence the deputy-elect.

Santos Silva, who received more than 524,000 votes, framed the issue more broadly than partisan disagreement: “I believe that no one deserves to suffer death threats for being politically engaged and trying to defend what they believe is best for the country.” While the two reports place different weight on the political context, both describe an official response centered on stopping the threats, preserving evidence and holding perpetrators accountable.

[1] Lula’s Government Asks Federal Police to Investigate Death Threats Against Newly Elected Congresswoman from MG — Ministry letter says Ana Elisa received online death and rape threats connected to her political engagement.

[2] Ministry of Justice Requests Investigation into Threats Against Ana Elisa, Elected PT Deputy — Report details the ministry’s request for platform action and its concern about a wider network behind the attacks.

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