Brazil: The Challenges Facing President Bolsonaro

Jair Bolsonaro has been the President of Brazil since January 2019. Since he assumed office, Bolsonaro has faced a number of challenges in his attempt to revive Brazil’s economy and combat corruption. Let’s take a closer look at the issues that are currently facing Brazil.

Social Inequalities

Brazil is one of the most unequal countries in the world, with a vast gulf between rich and poor. To tackle this social inequality, President Bolsonaro has focused on reducing the state’s role in the economy, cutting taxes and privatizing businesses. However, critics argue that these policies have primarily served the interests of the wealthy, worsening poverty and social unrest.

Environmental Concerns

The Brazilian Amazon rainforest is one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet and plays a vital role in mitigating climate change by absorbing huge amounts of carbon dioxide. However, in recent years, deforestation has accelerated significantly, with over 7,000 square kilometers of forest destroyed in the first seven months of 2020 alone. International pressure has mounted on President Bolsonaro to take measures to protect the rainforest, but instead he has encouraged development in the region.

Political Turmoil

President Bolsonaro has also faced political crises, such as the ongoing Petrobras scandal, which involves allegations of corruption within Brazil’s state-owned oil company. The President’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has also been criticized, with Brazil having one of the highest numbers of infections and deaths in the world.

Conclusion

The challenges facing President Bolsonaro illustrate the complex issues that impact Brazil’s economic, social and environmental health. Despite the government’s efforts to address these issues, they appear to be getting worse. As Brazil continues to struggle with these challenges, it remains to be seen whether the government will take bold, decisive steps to tackle them.