Last month one of the front runners to win the Brazilian Presidential elections, Jair Bolsanaro, was stabbed in the stomach at a political campaign in the city of Juiz de Fora. The attack occurred while he was being carried by one of his bodyguards. He was rushed to the hospital after the incident. The hospital told reporters that he had to undergo surgical procedures to fix injuries to his intestines.
The culprit was immediately surrounded and arrested by the police. After interrogations police officers said the attempt was based on the individual’s disagreement with the values of the politician and not sponsored by any group.
In an interview with Brasil de Fato, a psychoanalyst stated his personal opinions. He said, “To me, it seems that, when democracy is brought into discredit, like when there’s a ploy to remove Dilma [Rousseff, Brazil’s former president ousted in 2016] from office – which was a wile itself –, then Lula’s imprisonment – something absolutely arbitrary that even those who support it know it’s a dirty move, a ‘beanball,’ something like that –, people start to resort to violence. Violence on the streets rises, violence against women rises. The ‘psychopathicization’ of society at large rises.”
Bolsanaro is recognized by Brazilians for his prejudiced opinions on people of color, women, and the poor. He also has biased views about movements such as Landless Workers’ Movement (MST) and the Homeless Workers’ Movement (MTST). Some of his campaign speeches have been quoted as saying he would “kill them all” with his statement referring to leftists and Workers’ Party supporters.
His views and speeches have been a cause for concern among Brazilians. Despite this a few days ago he won almost 50% of the votes for the first round of the Presidential elections.
See also:
