Brazilian President Faces Heavy Fine Threat Over 'Otobai March'

Photo by AP

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is facing controversy for pushing ahead with a motorcycle rally with supporters amid the spread of COVID-19.

The motorcycle rally, which started around 10 a.m. local time on the 12th and covered a 130 km route, saw thousands of supporters participating with President Bolsonaro leading the event.

In addition to President Bolsonaro, his third son, Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, and Infrastructure Minister Tarc?sio Gomes also took part.

Neither President Bolsonaro nor most of the supporters wore masks, and social distancing was not observed.

In response, the S?o Paulo state government decided to impose fines on President Bolsonaro, Congressman Eduardo, and Minister Gomes.

S?o Paulo Governor Jo?o Doria warned on the 9th, "If President Bolsonaro participates in street events without wearing a mask, he will be fined just like any other ordinary citizen."

Since May of last year, S?o Paulo has imposed fines of 552 reais (approximately 120,000 KRW) per person for violating the mandatory mask-wearing rule in public places.

However, President Bolsonaro mocked the governor by saying, "The governor is acting like the owner of S?o Paulo," and counterattacked Governor Doria, saying, "He does not respect the people and is threatening the president."

Earlier, last month, when President Bolsonaro gathered supporters for motorcycle rallies in the capital Bras?lia and Rio de Janeiro, residents responded with a "pan protest," banging pots and pans to demand his resignation.