Brazil’s Bolsonaro defends use of guns to ‘guarantee democracy’

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – “The firearm is not only a security for families but also a security for our national sovereignty and the guarantee that our democracy is preserved,” the president said.

Conservative President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday defended the use of firearms to ensure democracy in the country. “The firearm not only provides security for families but also for our national sovereignty and the guarantee that our democracy is preserved. Regardless of what means we must someday use. Our democracy and our freedom are not negotiable,” the president said.

The statement was made at the inauguration of sections of BR-101/SE in Propriá (SE) and at a time when the president, who is running for a new term, is accused by his opponents of preparing his speech to try to “dissolve” the elections this year in case of defeat.

In the same speech, Bolsonaro again addressed public security professionals pushing for a restructuring of the professions promised by the government.

“We regret the purchasing power of public employees, but I am sure that we will soon recover it. Especially our federal highway patrol, which is with us during this time,” he promised.

He also acknowledged the loss of purchasing power of the population in general but defended the government’s actions in fertilizer policy. “We guarantee fertilizer by contacting the Russian government. Last week, 26 ships with fertilizers docked here, enough for this year’s harvest,” the president said.

In the pre-election campaign, Bolsonaro also gave a nod to Senator Fernando Collor (PTB-AL), calling him a “great ally in parliament” and repeating the phrase “the Northeast is ours.”

The Northeast is the region of the country where the president has more difficulties than the top leftist candidate for the Planalto Palace, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

More: Brazil news in English, every day from The Rio Times.

This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error