Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro broke his silence on Friday for the first time since his October 30 election defeat and addressed supporters calling for a military coup to prevent President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking office, AFP reported.

Bolsonaro said he had remained silent for nearly 40 days, adding that “my soul hurts.”

“You are the one who decides where I will go. You decide where the armed forces go,” Bolsonaro told his supporters at the gates of the presidential residence.

In his mixed comments, Bolsonaro disapproved of their call for military intervention, but said the armed forces would respect Brazil’s constitution.

He did not recognize Lula’s victory in the October election, and his silence prompted supporters to continue demonstrating outside military bases.

Lula’s victory over Bolsonaro will be certified by Brazil’s national electoral body on Monday.

Bolsonaro told his supporters that Brazil’s armed forces were a pillar to prevent socialism in the country, adding that “nothing was lost” and that their cause would one day prevail.

“The armed forces are united. They owe loyalty to our people and respect for the Constitution, they are responsible for our freedom,” he said.

“Unlike other people, we will win,” he added.