One day after threatening to dismiss his ministers who talked too much and had become "stars" of the government, President Jair Bolsonaro showed that the veiled threat was nothing more than a bluff.
Not even 24 hours had passed since that declaration at the door of the Palácio da Alvorada, and the president was speechless when asked by Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta (Saúde) about the reason why he did not fire him.
The scene took place at a ministerial meeting called at the last minute on Monday (6) and was attended by other ministers, in addition to the vice president, General Hamilton Mourão.
According to four aides to the president heard by Folha on condition of anonymity, Bolsonaro widened his eyes, was silent, and showed surprise at Mandetta's direct questioning.
Military ministers tried to get around the situation.
The episode illustrates how the president has handled the coronavirus crisis. If, inside the government, the pen is not that strong, outside Bolsonaro throws it to the audience.
Since the World Health Organization declared a world pandemic on March 11, it has adopted contradictory speeches and attitudes.
In five pronouncements to the nation made on national radio and TV, different tones prevailed.
The country responded with almost daily pot-banging protests in several Brazilian capitals, and the other branches of government (Congress and the Federal Supreme Court) responded by demanding that military ministers control the president's behavior.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon