RIO DE JANEIRO Petroleo Brasileiro stepped up security at its refineries, in a cautionary measure after threats against assets including Brazil’s biggest such fuel plant, two company officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The threats were detected by Petrobras’ intelligence unit monitoring social media communications of supporters of Brazil’s far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro, the two people said.

The state-controlled company said last night all its assets and refineries were operating normally.

“Petrobras is taking all the preventative protective measures required, as a standard procedure,” it said in a statement.

Thousands of Bolsonaro’s supporters earlier yesterday invaded the country’s Congress, presidential palace and Supreme Court, destroying furniture and shattering windows, in an echo of the US Capitol invasion on Jan 6, 2021 by fans of former president Donald Trump.

The threats to Petrobras targeted assets include refineries in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Parana states, the people said.

Petrobras has a 1,000-person private security workforce and is working in coordination with state police.

Rio de Janeiro’s governor Claudio Castro said on Twitter he deployed on Saturday state and city policemen to reinforce security at Reduc, the state’s main refinery.