Gunmen threatened ‘bloodbath’ during robbery of Brazil finance minister

“They were hooded all in black and with gloves. I could not recognize anyone,” Sandri told the Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper. “They carried revolvers, knives and shotguns.”

The criminals threatened the guests, two housekeepers, a cook and a gardener, Sandri said. “They were not violent but applied enormous psychological pressure,” he said. “One guy said, ‘Either you arrange money or there is going to be a bloodbath here.”’

The assailants apparently did not recognize Mantega, Sandri said. A spokesman for the Finance Ministry confirmed the incident and said Mantega was not hurt, but would not provide further details.

The gunmen robbed the guests and rummaged through the house for money and jewels, asking for compensation “so they would not have to kill anyone,” Sandri said. After two hours of negotiating, Sandri said he agreed to give them 20,000 reals (US$9,605; euro7,315), and drove to Sao Paulo at 1 a.m. to withdraw the money. He returned at 4 a.m., and the gunmen then left with the money, mobile phones and household valuables.

Break-ins and robberies at rural estates are common in Brazil.

The newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo said all Cabinet ministers are offered security, but that Mantega had not requested it.

Mantega was a top adviser to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during the landmark 2002 presidential campaign that swept the former union leader to power as Brazil’s first elected leftist leader. Mantega was planning and budget minister and led Brazil’s National Development Bank before being tapped as finance minister.

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