Bolsonaro Excludes Vice President from Ministerial Meeting

President says he believes that Mourão leaks information from these meetings to the press

Brasília

In yet another episode of friction between President Jair Bolsonaro and Vice President General Hamilton Mourão, Bolsonaro held a ministerial meeting at Planalto Palace on Tuesday (9) without inviting Mourão.

The meeting, left off the official Presidency agenda, brought together 22 of the 23 government ministers. The minister of communications, Fábio Faria was the only one absent.

Brazil's Vice President Hamilton Mourao looks on next to Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro before a ceremony at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil January 12, 2021. REUTERS/Adriano Machado - REUTERS

According to Planalto advisers, Bolsonaro invited each of the ministers individually, thus avoiding calling a government council meeting that would have included Mourão.

The vice president is part of the advisory board and usually participates in the meetings. He was recently absent because he was recovering from the novel coronavirus.

In addition to Bolsonaro's mistrust of Mourão, the president has already said to the ministerial team members that the military leaks information discussed during these meetings to the press.

Translated by Kiratiana Freelon

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