Brazil in critical state due to pandemic

The coronavirus crisis is not letting up in Brazil. The country has already surpassed 330,000 deaths and the WHO warns of the seriousness of the situation. Most intensive care units are at more than 90% capacity. According to the international organisation, more than 6,000 infected people are waiting for a bed in the ICUs. Faced with this critical situation, countries such as Bolivia have closed their borders with Brazil.

Despite progress in the vaccination process with 23.8 million doses administered, the president of the Brazilian Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco, has asked the UN to anticipate the delivery of vaccines. "The situation we are facing is dramatic. Data confirmed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) attest that Brazil has become the global epicentre of the pandemic, with more than 12 million confirmed cases and 300,000 deaths, and a worrying acceleration of the contagion curve," Pacheco lamented in the petition approved earlier by the Senate. Brazil is the country most affected by the pandemic after the United States. In some cities, such as Sao Paulo, old graves have been emptied to make room for the growing number of dead. The Brazilian city has recorded a record number of daily burials, according to Reuters. The news agency has also reported authorities' plans to use veterinary facilities to increase production of the coronavirus vaccine. Brazil's two main public health institutes already produce vaccines, although it is not enough to alleviate the effects of the health crisis. The UN has assured that "vaccines are not enough", due to the high level of transmission in the country "measures must be maintained and vigilance must be maintained, especially in urban centres".

Apart from the health crisis, the South American country is facing a political and social crisis caused by the poor management of the pandemic. President Jair Bolsonaro has not taken the seriousness of the virus seriously, and has not respected the health measures imposed by international organisations, such as keeping a social distance or wearing a mask. "Bolsonaro has not yet understood the seriousness of the crisis caused by COVID-19," says Luis Henrique Mandetta. Mandetta was health minister in Bolsonaro's government until 2020, when he was dismissed due to disagreements with the Brazilian president. However, the former minister was not the only one to leave the government. General Fernando Acevedo, former defence minister, was also removed from his post by the president. Subsequently, the heads of the Air Force, Navy and Army resigned in protest at Acevedo's dismissal. Ernesto Araujo, who was foreign minister, resigned after Congress criticised him for his poor relations with China. Araujo had run-ins with the Chinese ambassador in Brasilia over comments questioning the efficacy of Chinese-made vaccines. 

The population has also expressed its dissatisfaction with the management of the pandemic and the collapse of health services. Student associations have organised several demonstrations in cities such as Brasilia, Porto Alegre and Belo Horizonte. Under the slogan "life, bread, vaccines and education", hundreds of people protested against the government of Jair Bolsonaro. 

Latin America Coordinator: José Antonio Sierra.