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

Jair Bolsonaro served as the President of Brazil from January 2019 until December 2022. His administration has been marked by significant controversies, particularly regarding its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. A study titled Investigating the ‘Bolsonaro effect’ on the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic indicates that Bolsonaro's denialist approach and rejection of scientific evidence had a detrimental impact on public health. The study found that municipalities supportive of Bolsonaro experienced higher COVID-19 mortality rates and lower compliance with social distancing measures. Additionally, vaccination rates were notably lower in these areas, suggesting a direct correlation between Bolsonaro's policies and negative health outcomes during his term.

Moreover, the World Report 2022 highlights that Bolsonaro's administration faced criticism for undermining democratic institutions and failing to effectively manage the pandemic. The report notes that his government flouted scientific recommendations, which contributed to the worsening of Brazil's public health crisis. Furthermore, issues such as corruption in vaccine procurement and increased violence against marginalized communities were prevalent during his presidency.

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim that problems worsened during Bolsonaro's term is substantial. The Investigating the ‘Bolsonaro effect’ study provides empirical data linking Bolsonaro's political stance to increased fatalities and reduced public health compliance. This study is credible as it employs econometric methods to analyze observational data across various municipalities, offering a comprehensive view of the pandemic's impact in Brazil during his presidency.

Conversely, some sources may present a more nuanced view of Bolsonaro's presidency, focusing on economic challenges and political dynamics rather than solely on public health. For instance, the Political Economy of Bolsonaro's Government discusses broader economic issues but does not negate the negative consequences of his COVID-19 policies. Additionally, the Brazil Country Report 2024 notes the militarization of politics under Bolsonaro, suggesting systemic issues that extend beyond immediate public health crises.

While some analyses may attempt to downplay the severity of Bolsonaro's impact, they often do not provide the same level of empirical evidence as the studies directly linking his policies to adverse outcomes. Therefore, the reliability of sources that focus on political dynamics without addressing the direct consequences of his health policies may be less robust.

Conclusion

The claim that "the current problems worsened in the four-year term of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro that ran through 2022" is True. The evidence indicates that Bolsonaro's administration significantly contributed to worsening public health outcomes, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, through denialism and ineffective governance. The correlation between his policies and increased mortality rates, as well as decreased vaccination compliance, supports this conclusion.

Sources

1. Investigating the ‘Bolsonaro effect’ on the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic
2. World Report 2022: Brazil
3. The Political Economy of Bolsonaro's Government
4. Brazil's new president inherits huge economic challenges
5. Brazil Country Report 2024
6. Brazil's Systemic Mistrust of Elections and Democracy
7. Jair Bolsonaro | EBSCO Research Starters