Around 100 supporters were there to send off the disgraced politician, tossing red and yellow flower petals on the ground as Rousseff got out of her car to greet them.
After leaving the presidential residence, Rousseff hopped on an air force plane to Porto Alegre, where she was again greeted by supporters when she landed.
Rousseff’s former vice president and current interim President Michel Temer is likely to move into the palace in the coming days.
The scene at Rousseff’s departure was a lot calmer than recent demonstrations across the country that have seen protesters clashing violently with police.
Over the weekend, tens of thousands took to Paulista Avenue, one of Brazil’s busiest highways, to protest against Temer’s new government.
Police said demonstrations in Sao Paulo were initially peaceful but ended with authorities firing gas bombs, stun grenades, and water cannons after a group became violent at a subway station breaking turnstiles and throwing rocks at the anti-riot authorities.
Brazilians also gathered at the Copacabana promenade in Rio de Janeiro demanding the current president be removed and calling for new presidential elections.
Rousseff, Brazil’s first woman president, told international media on Friday that she decried the process that led to her impeachment and promised strong opposition to Temer’s government.
The Brazilian Senate voted to remove Rousseff from the presidency for practicing pedaladas fiscais - the practice of using public money to fund state or federal social programs without the approval of Congress.
Source: VOA / AP
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