The first six months of 2020 were the worst on record for deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon, with an area bigger than the nation of Luxembourg cleared.
Bolsonaro has infamously likened the virus to a "little flu", amid attacks on stay-at-home measures and other public health guidelines.
With less than one-third of Brazilians approving Bolsonaro’s handling of the pandemic, and protests against him increasing, analysts say he's shoring up his base to shield himself from possible impeachment and improve governability.
Move comes after months of criticism from experts saying Brazil’s statistics are woefully deficient, and in some cases manipulated, so it may never be possible to gain a real understanding of the depth of the pandemic in the country.
The video, which was released as part of a probe, shows president Jair Bolsonaro being furious at certain political elements and avoiding discussions on how the Covid-19 pandemic has been handled in the country.
The global coronavirus pandemic has affected over five million people, with around 327,000 deaths. Here are more coronavirus-related updates for May 20:
The global coronavirus pandemic has affected over 4.8 million people, with around 319,000 deaths, according to a tracker. Here are more coronavirus-related developments for May 18:
Demonstrators in Brasilia and Sao Paulo defy local stay-at-home orders to join pro-Jair Bolsonaro rallies at a time when president is facing increasing pressure over his handling of pandemic, which has killed more than 15,000 Brazilians.
The number of global coronavirus infections has surged past 4.5 million, with over 306,000 deaths and 1.7 million recoveries. Here are more coronavirus-related developments for May 15:
Brazilian Health Minister Nelson Teich, who had accepted the job almost a month ago had promised "total alignment" with President Jair Bolsonaro, but differences in approaching the coronavirus pandemic soon emerged.
With millions out of work and economies flatlining – including in the United States, where 20 million people lost their jobs in April – governments are desperate to reopen, but most are choosing a gradual approach.
Pollster Datafolha found that 48 percent oppose impeaching Bolsonaro while 45 percent of those surveyed want to see him impeached, a difference within the margin of error of the poll.
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