On the streets of Rome, he was roundly criticized for his handling of the country’s terrible pandemic, with some calling him genocidal.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s security personnel used force against Brazilian reporters covering his visit to Rome for the G20 summit, according to local media reports.
The allegation of attacks against Brazilian journalists has made things difficult for the right-wing president, who has long accused the media of treating him unjustly and spreading false information.
Bolsonaro faces protests in Rome
On Sunday, videos from G20 activities showed him as a lonely person who was not in the photo taken with world leaders at the Trevi Fountain.
He was roundly lambasted on the streets of Rome for his management of the country’s deadly pandemic, with some labelling him “genocidal.”
Brazil lost over 6 lakh lives to novel Coronavirus
COVID-19 has claimed over 600,000 lives in Brazil, the world’s second-highest death toll behind the United States.
The anger against Bolsonaro is particularly over his management of the pandemic. Local media outlets report that Bolsonaro has cast doubt on the virus’s severity, dodged lockdowns, sown vaccination concerns, and promoted dubious remedies.
As per a Brazilian senate committee, he should be charged for nine crimes connected to his management of the pandemic, including crimes against humanity.
Journalist Leonardo Monteiro shoved by Bolsonaro’s security
After questioning Bolsonaro about why he didn’t attend any G20 events on Sunday, the Brazilian newspaper O Globo stated that broadcast journalist Leonardo Monteiro of TV Globo was smacked in the stomach and shoved by Bolsonaro’s security.
Security personnel jostle the press, while Bolsonaro supporters yell insults at reporters, according to footage obtained by UOL journalist Jamil Chade.
“Bolsonaro supporters intimidate those who criticize the president on the streets of Rome. This lady who responds to a foreigner, accusing her of being ‘homophobic’, was moments before fervently praying beside Bolsonaro,” the journalist tweeted.
The security officers were either Brazilian or Italian, although it was unclear. However, as per O Globo, Bolsonaro’s security has been handed up to Italians.
Bolsonaro maintains silence over the allegations
Meanwhile, there have been no comments by the president’s office on the alleged violence or why Bolsonaro was not included in the world leaders’ photo at the Trevi Fountain.
The G20 press staff have also ignored the allegations levelled by the media fraternity.
It is imperative to state that Jair Bolsonaro’s global popularity has dwindled since former US President Donald Trump lost his re-election attempt, and his mistrust about Coronavirus, vaccinations and environmental issues has isolated him on the world scene.