Brazilian President Bolsonaro Supports Trump Supporting Attacks On Capitol Building

Presiden Brasil Jair Bolsonaro (Sumber: Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro repeated the baseless accusations of fraud against the United States (US) Election. He has continued to support President Donald Trump, including when supporters of the American leader stormed the US Capitol building.

Bolsonaro, a former far-right military captain, has long admired Trump. He is one of the last global leaders to recognize election victory for President-elect Joe Biden.

Quoting Reuters, Thursday, January 7, 2021, Bolsonaro said he had learned about the news about the attack on the US Capitol Building by Trump supporters who did not accept the defeat of the US election. The invasion, the members of parliament to evacuate and Congress, which guaranteed Joe Biden's victory, was delayed.

Asked by a supporter about his views on the chaos in Washington DC, Bolsonaro said: “I followed everything today. You know I'm connected to Trump, right? So you already know my answer. "

"There are many reports of fraud," he added, in a video posted on social media, without providing evidence.

Bolsonaro also took the opportunity to reiterate the baseless complaint that his 2018 election victory was tainted by fraud. Bolsonaro said he should have won without the second round.

Trump's defeat in the US election was a blow to Bolsonaro, who is trying to forge closer ties with the US. Biden's win is likely to isolate Brazil on the global stage and increase the pressure on Bolsonaro's handling of the environment and human rights.

Another view of Bolsonaro that is considered different is that he refuses to accept the COVID-19 vaccine. He feels that the COVID-19 pandemic is coming to an end and that the world's attitude to vaccinate quickly cannot be justified.

"The pandemic has really reached its end, the numbers have shown this, we are dealing with small increases now," said Bolsonaro.

"But rushing to get a vaccine is not justified because you are putting people's lives at risk," he added.

Even though at that time, Brazil was experiencing a high increase in transmission and deaths due to COVID-19. Experts also say Brazil is in the second wave.

The intensive care unit (ICU) at the public hospital in Rio de Janeiro is full. Meanwhile, preparations for the vaccination campaign for Brazilians were then disrupted by the politicization of competition between Bolsonaro and Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria, who was predicted to compete for the 2022 elections.