Bolsonaro Faces Potential Charges as COVID-19 Inquiry gains Momentum, Offering Hope to Bereaved Brazilians
BRASÍLIA, Brazil – Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is facing renewed scrutiny and potential criminal charges stemming from his management’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, a development hailed by many Brazilians who lost family members to the virus. The revived investigation, ordered by Supreme Court Justice Flávio Dino in September, centers on allegations of misconduct, including “charlatanism,” inciting crime, misuse of public funds, and crimes against humanity.
The escalating legal pressure comes as a measure of vindication for families who accuse Bolsonaro of deliberately downplaying the severity of the pandemic, hindering public health efforts, and contributing to the nation’s tragically high death toll – one of the world’s highest, exceeding 700,000 confirmed deaths. Bolsonaro’s dismissive rhetoric and resistance to preventative measures like mask-wearing and social distancing fueled widespread criticism and accusations of negligence during a period of immense national suffering.
During his term, Bolsonaro consistently minimized the threat posed by COVID-19, even as experts urged caution and public health measures. “No one knew how long it would last. Experts called for distancing, while he joined crowds,” noted Eduardo Scolese, politics editor at the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper and author of “1461 Days in the Trenches.” This approach led to a fractured response, wiht state and local governments forced to implement their own restrictions while the federal government largely stood aside.
The conflict between Bolsonaro’s administration and state/local authorities ultimately reached the Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of allowing states and municipalities to enact distancing, quarantines, and other sanitary rules.This decision marked a turning point, as bolsonaro “began to believe everyone was against him, especially the Supreme Court,” according to Scolese.
A Senate committee investigation concluded in October 2021 with a advice to charge Bolsonaro with several crimes related to his pandemic response. Though, the case remained stalled until Justice Dino’s recent order to expand the police investigation, which remains ongoing and sealed. The outcome of the investigation could have important political ramifications and perhaps led to Bolsonaro’s indictment and trial.
