Good morning! Today, the police arrested Jair Bolsonaro’s former Education Minister. Data protection concerns over Google deal. The latest dig at Operation Car Wash. And Brazil tries to profit from rocket launches.
☕ If you like our work and want to give us an extra boost, you can fill up our reporters’ coffee mugs. Supporters get exclusive perks! Find out more.
🚨 Breaking: Former Education Minister arrested
The Federal Police arrested this morning former Education Minister Milton Ribeiro as part of an investigation into an influence-peddling scheme within the cabinet ministry.
Context. Mr. Ribeiro was caught on tape saying that, at the request of President Jair Bolsonaro, he had yielded control over a national educational development fund to two Evangelical preachers.
- Multiple mayors say the release of funds is tied to kickbacks. Mr. Ribeiro left the government late in March after the scheme was revealed.
- The government put a 100-year seal on records of meetings Milton Ribeiro participated in, claiming data privacy concerns.
Why it matters. The opposition will try to rekindle efforts to launch a parliamentary inquiry into the Education Ministry — and the case will certainly be exploited ad nauseum during the electoral campaign.
Reaction. President Bolsonaro said the...