Crisis Exposes How Bolsonaro Is Dependent on Military and Cornered by Mandetta

[Judi Lynn]

President adopts contradictory attitudes and speeches on pandemic
Apr.13.2020 3:13PM

Talita Fernandes
Renato Onofre
BRASÍLIA
One day after threatening to dismiss his ministers who talked too much and had become "stars" of the government, President Jair Bolsonaro showed that the veiled threat was nothing more than a bluff.

Not even 24 hours had passed since that declaration at the door of the Palácio da Alvorada, and the president was speechless when asked by Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta (Saúde) about the reason why he did not fire him.

The scene took place at a ministerial meeting called at the last minute on Monday (6) and was attended by other ministers, in addition to the vice president, General Hamilton Mourão.

According to four aides to the president heard by Folha on condition of anonymity, Bolsonaro widened his eyes, was silent, and showed surprise at Mandetta's direct questioning.

More:
https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/internacional/en/brazil/2020/04/crisis-exposes-how-bolsonaro-is-dependent-on-military-and-cornered-by-mandetta.shtml?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsen