Brazil’s president ‘won’t resign’
Embattled Temer says he will fight corruption allegations
RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazilian President Michel Temer on Thursday rejected calls for his resignation, saying he will fight allegations that he endorsed the paying of hush money to a former lawmakerjailed for corruption.
Even in this country weary from the constant drip of revelations of a wide-ranging corruption investigation, the incendiary accusation set off a firestorm and Brazil’s highest court opened an investigation. Stocks and the currency plunged and rumors circulated that Mr. Temer would stepdown.
Instead, the embattled leader remained defiant in a national address to respond to allegations he was recorded endorsing payments to former lower House Speaker Eduardo Cunha. The existence and the contents of the recording were reported Wednesday night by the Globo newspaper.
“At no time did I authorize the paying of anyone,” Mr. Temer said emphatically, raising his voice and pounding his index finger against the podium. “I did not buy anybody’ssilence.”
The Supreme Federal Tribunal opened an investigation into the accusations and lifted the seal on the recording. Globo then posted the nearly 39-minute recording, whichis scratchy and often inaudible.
In it, two men can be heard talking about Mr. Cunha, who is now serving a sentence on corruption charges but many believe could still provide damaging testimony about dozens of other politicians. Globo’s report said they are Mr. Temer and JBS meatpacking company executive JoesleyBatista.
One man, who is apparently Mr. Temer, complains that Mr. Cunha could potentiallyembarrass him.
“Within my limits, I did the most I could there. I settled everything,” responds the other man, apparently Mr. Batista. “He came and collected, etc., etc., etc. I am good with Eduardo,OK?” The first man then says: “You have to keep that up, see?” To which the second man responds: “Every month.”
Even before the audio was released, Thursday began in a panic after Globo’s report. Brazilians watched in shock as federal police carried out search and arrest warrants throughout the capital, Brasilia, in dramatic scenes reminiscent of the impeachment process last year that broughtMr. Temer to power.
In the evening, a protest of several thousand people in Rio de Janeiro was broken up when men in masks threw objects at police, who responded withtear gas.