Protests Erupt In Brasil

 

BRAZIL

Round Three

Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered an investigation into President Jair Bolsonaro for ignoring alleged irregularities in the government’s purchase of Covid-19 vaccines from India, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The investigation centers around a deal earlier this year between Brazil’s health ministry and Indian-based Bharat Biotech to buy 20 million doses of the Covaxin vaccine for about $320 million.

Health ministry official and whistleblower, Luis Miranda, said during a congressional inquiry that he faced “abnormal pressure” from members of the ministry to allow the importation of the Covaxin vaccine despite irregularities in the procurement process.

He said that he had voiced concerns to Bolsonaro in March. He added that the leader responded that he would take the case to the federal police.

Under the terms of the contract, Brazil was only supposed to pay for the Covaxin doses 30 days after they were delivered. But the ministry later received an invoice for part of the jabs to be delivered, which had a different number than those in the contract.

Last week, the government suspended the Covaxin deal following recommendations from the federal comptroller. The comptroller denied there were any irregularities.

Prosecutors have now 90 days to investigate Bolsonaro for the crime of dereliction of duty. The president denies wrongdoing.

The probe comes as the president faces criticism and demonstrations for his handling of the coronavirus: He has downplayed the severity of the pandemic since early 2020 and has criticized vaccines and social distancing measures.

Although Bolsonaro enjoys enough support in Brazil’s congress to quash any legal proceedings against him, analysts said the investigation could further weaken the president’s popularity – currently at 24 percent. He will run for re-election next year.

UK