Bolsonaro sworn in with pledge to follow Trump to ‘bring prosperity’
Brazil’s controversial new president promises to strengthen democracy and fight violent street crime
JAIR BOLSONARO, the new president of Brazil, promised to work closely with Donald Trump “under God’s protection” to bring prosperity to both countries as he was sworn in last night.
The far-right nationalist, known as the “Trump of the Tropics”, vowed to crack down on corruption and violent crime in a long-awaited speech following his shock election in October.
The 63-year-old former army captain has pledged to tackle street crime by arming civilians and believes police officers who kill suspects should be decorated rather than investigated.
“I will work tirelessly so that Brazil reaches its destiny,” said Mr Bolsonaro, the latest populist to exploit anti-establishment fury. “My vow is to strengthen Brazil’s democracy,” he added.
Crowds of supporters, many with the Brazilian flag draped around their shoulders and with faces painted yellow and green, the national colours, gathered before the Planalto palace, where Brazil’s new leader was presented with the presidential sash.
Mr Bolsonaro is a hugely controversial figure because of his track record for making racist and sexist comments and displaying nostalgia for the former military dictatorship. He has spoken of how he would punch a gay couple if he saw them kissing in public and has admitted he would “be incapable of loving a homosexual child”.
Mr Bolsonaro is appealing a fine he received for telling a female politician during a heated row: “I wouldn’t rape you because you don’t deserve it.”
In a TV interview in 1999, he said he yearned for the days of the military dictatorship, which killed hundreds between 1964-85, adding: “I’m in favour of torture. You know that. And the people are too.”
The new president hopes to realign Brazilian diplomacy towards the interests of Mr Trump, who sent Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, to the inauguration ceremony. In scenes reminiscent of Mr Trump’s own inauguration, the crowds were far smaller than expected, according to witnesses.
Mr Trump congratulated Mr Bolsonaro on his “great inauguration speech”, adding: “The US is with you!”
Responding on social media, which he uses to sidestep the mainstream press, Mr Bolsonaro said: “Dear Mr President, I truly appreciate your words of encouragement. Together, under God’s protection, we shall bring prosperity and progress to our people!”
In a clear sign of a diplomatic shift, Mr Bolsonaro plans to move the Brazilian embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, breaking with his country’s traditional support for a two-state solution to the Palestinian issue.
During the campaign trail, Mr Bolsonaro was transformed from a fringe eccentric into a populist firebrand.
At a rally in September he was stabbed in the stomach by a mentally ill man, losing 40 per cent of his blood and requiring major surgery. He now has to wear a colostomy bag. One third of his cabinet are former army officers, mostly fellow cadets at the Black Needles academy, Brazil’s equivalent of West Point, all outspoken backers of the former military regime.
He is hugely popular among conservative voters, in particular evangelical churches, because of his strong opposition to abortion and desire to remove sex education from schools.
His vow to emulate Mr Trump by pulling Brazil out of the Paris Agreement on climate change has concerned environmentalists, along with plans for hydroelectric dams in the Amazon.