Live Blog

Amazonas governor targeted by police searches in pandemic probe

Brazil’s Federal Police carried out a series of arrests and search and seizure operations in the cities of Manaus and Porto Alegre this morning, as part of a probe into pandemic-related mismanagement. 

Among the locations searched by marshals was the home of Wilson Lima, the governor of Amazonas state. A warrant was issued for the arrest of Amazonas state health secretary Marcellus Campêlo, who is currently a fugitive from justice.

In January, Amazonas was the stage of the most dramatic episode of Brazil’s Covid-19 epidemic so far, when hospitals in state capital Manaus ran out of oxygen and dozens of patients suffocated to death in waiting rooms. Law enforcement is investigating whether this supply shortage was linked to criminal activity.

The Federal Police probe also targets business owners accused of overpriced contracts involving health supplies. Those under investigation could face up to 24 years in jail for bid-rigging and criminal organization, among other crimes.

Lucas Berti

Lucas Berti covers international affairs — specialized in Latin American politics and markets. He has been published by Opera Mundi, Revista VIP, and The Intercept Brasil, among others.

Recent Posts

Petro’s far-fetched train project to compete with the Panama Canal

Panama was once a part of Colombia. Its canal, a monumental engineering achievement of its…

3 hours ago

Market Roundup: The new skills corporate board members need

The specialization trend among corporate board members It is not only a matter of perception:…

1 day ago

As elections near, what’s next for Panama’s closed copper mine?

Panama will hold its presidential elections on Sunday, months after huge protests saw thousands descend…

1 day ago

Madonna concert to inject BRL 300 million into Rio economy

The city of Rio de Janeiro estimates that a Madonna concert this Saturday on Copacabana…

2 days ago

Panama ready to vote as Supreme Court clears frontrunner

Latin America’s trend of banning opposition candidates from elections has caught on in an ever-growing…

2 days ago

Sabesp privatization edges closer with São Paulo legislation

The São Paulo City Council on Thursday approved legislation authorizing Brazil’s largest city to sign…

2 days ago