President Jair Bolsonaro, now politically isolated, has shown signs of emotional fragility in managing the coronavirus crisis and has sought refuge in the military wing to try to regain control of the government.
On at least one recent occasion, he wept before people at the Planalto Palace who were not part of his most intimate circle.
He complained that he suffered incessant criticism and pointed out external opponents, with a particular predilection for governors João Doria (PSDB-SP) and Wilson Witzel (PSC-RJ).
Bolsonaro and state chiefs have measured strength, with the president advocating partial isolation measures for groups vulnerable to COVID-19, while the others adopt WHO's quarantine recommendations.
The president lacks unanimous internal support. Government ministers, starting with Luiz Henrique Mandetta (Health), but also the popular Sergio Moro (Justice), defend social isolation. Paulo Guedes (Economics) said that he preferred to stay at home "as a citizen."
Traducido por AZAHARA MARTÍN ORTEGA