Brazilian voters rejected the image of an authoritarian strongman for a much-loathed ex-military man who promised to restore the state and boost the economy by building large metal-and-rubber-paneled bridges across the Amazon. But 56-year-old far-right President Jair Bolsonaro is still considered by the international community to be a threat to the Amazon’s one-of-a-kind culture. His recently elected justice minister, Thiago de Aragao, has been accused by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of crimes against humanity in relation to environmental destruction. The commission alleges that Aragao and his father participated in the slaughter of the Imatian-Sanaga community in the state of Pará in the 1970s, just after the disappearance of Brazilian president Goulart, which according to several outlets was orchestrated by the military. “I never [killed anyone],” Aragao responded to the commission. “I didn’t know it was possible to do anything when the secret police were around. You’re the first person to bring this up … I can tell you now that I wouldn’t give up blood from a chicken to make money.”
Read the full story at The Guardian.
Related
Meet Brazil’s new president, Jair Bolsonaro, who promises to increase Amazon deforestation
Deforestation in Brazil rises above 830,000 hectares – equivalent to 25 countries