In today’s issue: Bolsonaro: After golden shower, a dig at democracy. Brazil’s new strategy to push out Maduro in Venezuela. Cases of femicide up in Brazil.
Bolsonaro: After golden shower, a dig at democracy
Less than 24 hours removed from the controversy sparked by a pornographic tweet, President Jair Bolsonaro managed to do worse. During a speech at a ceremony in Rio de Janeiro to honor Brazil’s
Marine Corps, he said that “democracy and freedom only exist when the Armed Forces want them to.” The phrase obviously did not sit well, in light of Brazil’s rich history of military coups. It also infuriated the government’s military wing—which nevertheless publicly backed the president.
The speech was to be complimentary of the Armed Forces, as Mr. Bolsonaro asked them to make sacrifices in the name of his pension reform push. Instead, it sparked reactions in Congress—once again raising questions about whether or not the government will have the political strength to pass said reform. As it is, the administration is already having a hard time to consolidate its support base—controversy only gives congressional leaders more leverage in negotiations.
Government officials are increasingly concerned with Mr. Bolsonaro’s social media posting and improvised...