Brazil: Bolsonaro orders security forces to intervene in pro-democracy protests

Brazil has sworn in former army captain President Jair Bolsonaro, amid tight security. The far-right politician, an admirer of the country’s former military dictatorship, pledged to rid the country of "ideological ties."

Congress blocks his plans, his policies are not implemented and his Cabinet is in disarray. Clearly Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro cannot govern. And it seems he doesn't even care to try.

Brazil's president said that environmental challenges must be met while respecting "national sovereignty" and announced a meeting of countries that share the Amazon to tackle the devastating fires.

Their telephone call followed strained relations in recent weeks between Bolsonaro and Europe over combating wildfires in Brazil. Bolsonaro said Europe has "nothing to teach" Brazil about preserving the environment.

The "Alliance for Brazil" aims to fight against "communism, globalism and any ideology that is against the natural order." The far-right leader is hoping to regain the trust of evangelical voters.

With state subsidies to fight poverty now ended, Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro says his country is "broke" and he is unable to do anything about it, attributing the crisis to "the press-fueled" coronavirus.

As COVID-19 rages, the Brazilian president is increasingly isolated. Parts of the military and business leaders have distanced themselves. There is even speculation he could be impeached.

In an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24, former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said his country is paying the price for current president Jair Bolsonaro's "incompetence" in dealing with the Covid-19 crisis and that "he is responsible for a part of all these Brazilians who have lost their lives".

Indigenous groups have filed a request with the ICC in The Hague for it to investigate Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro over alleged genocide and crimes against humanity.

Covid-19 has caused over 600,000 deaths in Brazil. But who, or what, is responsible for the situation that many see as a complete mishandling of the health crisis?A parliamentary commission suggests President Bolsonaro should now face charges of crimes against humanity for his responsibility in the management of the pandemic. Our Brazil bureau has more on the story.

The Brazilian president was discharged from a Sao Paulo hospital after experiencing abdominal pain. He has undergone at least four surgeries since 2018.

Bolsonaro was nominated by the right-wing Liberal Party as its official presidential candidate. Polls show leftist leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva defeating Bolsonaro handily in the October elections.