Fact Check: The current problems worsened in the four-year term of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro that ran through 2022.

Fact Check: "The current problems worsened in the four-year term of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro that ran through 2022."

What We Know

During Jair Bolsonaro's presidency from January 2019 to December 2022, Brazil faced significant challenges, particularly in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of 2022, Brazil recorded nearly 700,000 deaths due to COVID-19, making it the country with the second-highest number of fatalities globally, following the United States (Investigating the ‘Bolsonaro effect’ on the spread of COVID-19). Research indicates a strong correlation between Bolsonaro's policies and the high mortality rates, with municipalities that supported him experiencing more fatalities. This was attributed to lower compliance with social distancing measures and less widespread vaccination in pro-Bolsonaro areas (Investigating the ‘Bolsonaro effect’ on the spread of COVID-19).

Additionally, Bolsonaro's administration was marked by a lack of coherent public health policies, which led to confusion and disorganization in the response to the pandemic. His dismissal of scientific recommendations and promotion of misinformation significantly impacted public behavior towards health measures (World Report 2022: Brazil). The administration's handling of the pandemic was characterized by a denialist approach, where Bolsonaro referred to COVID-19 as a "little flu" and opposed lockdown measures (Investigating the ‘Bolsonaro effect’ on the spread of COVID-19).

Analysis

The claim that problems worsened during Bolsonaro's term is supported by substantial evidence from multiple sources. The World Report 2022 highlights the deterioration of public health governance and the exacerbation of social issues, including increased police violence and environmental degradation. Bolsonaro's approach to governance, which often involved undermining democratic institutions and spreading misinformation, contributed to a climate of mistrust and division within Brazilian society (World Report 2022: Brazil).

The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is strong. The study on the "Bolsonaro effect" is published in a peer-reviewed journal and provides empirical data to support its claims about the impact of Bolsonaro's policies on COVID-19 outcomes (Investigating the ‘Bolsonaro effect’ on the spread of COVID-19). Furthermore, the World Report 2022 is produced by Human Rights Watch, an established organization known for its rigorous research and advocacy on human rights issues, adding further credibility to the assessment of Bolsonaro's presidency.

However, it is essential to note that while the evidence points to a worsening of conditions during Bolsonaro's term, the complexity of Brazil's socio-political landscape means that multiple factors contributed to these issues, including pre-existing economic challenges and social inequalities.

Conclusion

The claim that the current problems in Brazil worsened during Jair Bolsonaro's four-year term is True. The evidence from credible sources indicates that Bolsonaro's policies and approach to governance significantly contributed to the exacerbation of public health crises, social unrest, and environmental degradation during his presidency. His denialist stance on COVID-19 and the lack of coherent public health strategies had lasting negative impacts on the country's response to the pandemic and overall governance.

Fact Check: The current problems worsened in the four-year term of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro that ran through 2022.