Brasília, Brazil – A recent conviction of former Brazilian President jair Bolsonaro in a case related to spreading misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines has sparked mixed reactions from Brazilians who lost loved ones during the pandemic, with some expressing a sense of vindication while others maintain true justice remains elusive.
Brazil has recorded over 700,000 COVID-19 deaths since 2020, the second-highest national toll globally, trailing only the united States. Epidemiologists at the Federal University of Pelotas estimated in 2021 that up to 80% of these deaths could have been prevented with more robust containment measures and a faster vaccine rollout under the Bolsonaro management. Brazil experienced vaccine shortages and phased distribution based on age and health risk.
The conviction centers on BolsonaroS false claims about a link between COVID-19 vaccines and AIDS, which were broadcast on social media. While the conviction doesn’t directly address the broader handling of the pandemic, it resonates deeply with families who believe his administration’s actions contributed to preventable deaths.
“Many people feel vindicated, and I don’t blame them. Bolsonaro provoked a lot of anger in many people, including me,” said Fábio de Maria, a 45-year-old teacher in Sao Paulo, whose father died in May 2021, just 15 days before becoming eligible for his first vaccine dose. ”But I don’t believe there has been justice for those who died of COVID-19, as that is not why Bolsonaro was convicted.”
A similar situation impacted the family of Paulo Cavalari, who died weeks before he was scheduled to receive his first vaccine dose, according to his widow, Eliana Orsi.
The pandemic significantly impacted Bolsonaro’s political standing. During the 2022 presidential campaign, which he lost to luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, advertisements highlighted bolsonaro’s dismissive comments regarding the virus and those suffering from it. Eduardo scolese, politics editor at the Folha de S.paulo newspaper during Bolsonaro’s term, stated, “Bolsonaro lost because of his denialist stance during the pandemic. The margin was very narrow.”
Throughout the pandemic, Bolsonaro consistently downplayed the severity of the crisis, while state and local governments implemented their own public health measures. The resulting disputes were ultimately settled by the Supreme Court, which affirmed the authority of states and municipalities to enact distancing measures and sanitary rules.
In October 2021, a Senate committee recommended charges against Bolsonaro for his pandemic response, including crimes against humanity and misuse of public funds.A related investigation was expanded in September 2023 under the order of Supreme Court justice Flávio Dino and remains ongoing, currently under seal.
