Brazil's suspended President Dilma Rousseff has vowed to use "all legal means" to fight her permanent ouster in an impeachment trial, raising the spectre of continued political turmoil as acting leader Michel Temer tries to rescue a sinking economy.
Hours later, Temer called for unity, promising to improve the economy and support a big corruption probe at state oil company Petrobras.
Speaking in the morning after the Senate voted to impeach her, in what might prove her last official event within the presidential palace, the nation's first female president blasted the process as "fraudulent" and said it was an injustice more painful than the torture she endured under a past military dictatorship.
She again rejected critics' accusations that she used illegal accounting tricks in managing the federal budget.
"I may have committed errors but I never committed crimes," Rousseff said during a 14-minute address, flanked by dozens of top officials and brass from her left-leaning Workers' Party.
The Senate's vote came after a months-long battle that laid bare Brazil's fury over corruption and economic decay just months before it hosts the Summer Olympics.
Speaking to several thousand supporters as she left the Planalto presidential palace, Rousseff said the allegations against her are nothing more than a red herring, part of a "coup" orchestrated by power-hungry foes.
"I am the victim of a great injustice," she said, adding, "I fought my whole life and I'm going to keep fighting."
Temer, a 75-year-old career politician who many call the "butler" for his subdued manner, struck a conciliatory note in his first words to the nation Thursday afternoon.
"Now is not a moment for celebrations, but rather for profound reflection," he said, adding that reducing unemployment was a top government priority.
Temer also mentioned the upcoming Olympics, slated for August in Rio de Janeiro.
"We won't again soon have another opportunity like his one," he said, adding that it was a chance to showcase Brazil as a "serious country."
