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Brazil under Bolsonaro

Bolsonaro trial nears verdict in Brazil coup plot case

Global Politics

As the trial of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro enters its final phase, the outcome could set a precedent for how democratic institutions respond to authoritarian threats in the South American country and beyond.

Leonardo de Carvalho Leal and Mayara Stelle administer the Twitter account Sleeping Giants Brazil, a platform for activism whose stated mission is to attack the financing of hate speech and dissemination of fake news, Dec. 11, 2020.

Will Brazil’s ‘Fake News Bill’ regulate disinformation or stifle free speech?

Free speech
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva celebrates with his wife Rosangela Silvaand running mate Geraldo Alckmin after defeating incumbent Jair Bolsonaro in a presidential run-off to become the country's next president, in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Brazil’s Lula to reclaim presidency after beating Bolsonaro

Elections
Children play in a flooded area of Leticia, Colombia, Feb. 14, 2017, located by the Amazon River, on the border with Brazil and Peru.

Brazil’s neighbors wary of environmental impact of a Bolsonaro victory

Environment
A demonstrator dressed in the colors of the Brazilian flag performs in front of a street vendor's towels for sale featuring Brazilian presidential candidates, current President Jair Bolsonaro, center, and former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in Bra

Lula battles Bolsonaro for chance to defend the poor again in Brazil

Supporters of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro wave Brazilian flags during a motorcycle campaign rally in Pocos de Caldas, Brazil

Tense atmosphere as voters head to the polls in Brazil’s most diverse elections ever

Elections

Brazilians will vote in presidential elections on Sunday. They will also vote for a host of other government officials. This year, more Indigenous people, women and Black candidates are running for office than ever before.

Former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva speaks during his announcement of his candidacy for the country’s upcoming presidential election, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Saturday, May 7, 2022.

Brazil’s Lula makes a comeback on a campaign to defend democracy

Brazil under Bolsonaro

Former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is making a comeback with a campaign for democracy and unity against far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro.

A friend of 24 year-old Congolese immigrant Moïse Mugenyi Kabagambe, holds up a sign during a protest to demand justice for his violent death, at Barra da Tijuca beach, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022.

‘African. Worker. Killed’: Thousands demand justice for killing of Congolese refugee in Brazil 

Justice

Moïse Kabagambe, 24, was beaten to death while attempting to collect unpaid wages. His death has spurred calls for justice and accountability in a country where a young Black person is killed every 23 minutes. 

A health worker gives a shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to 8-year-old Indigenous youth Davi Seremramiwe Xavante at the Hospital da Clinicas in São Paulo, Brazil, Jan. 14, 2022. 

Omicron hits Indigenous communities in Brazil as fake news and denialism undermine vaccination efforts

COVID-19

In Brazil, 1,258 Indigenous people have died from COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.

Christians raise their hands in praise during an International Grace of God Church event led by televangelist R.R. Soares, with President Jair Bolsonaro in attendance, at Botafogo beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. 

Progressive evangelicals in Brazil wage a battle ‘against Bolsonaroism’ ahead of elections

Religion

Evangelical Christians will play a powerful role in keeping President Jair Bolsonaro in power. But support may be slipping as evangelical progressives begin to organize against Bolsonaro ahead of next year’s elections.