After a lengthy process that took nine months, Brazil impeached its first female president, Dilma Rousseff. The impeachment proceedings, launched owing to accusations of “fiscal peddling”, followed revelations of a massive corruption scheme at state-owned energy giant Petrobras. Before assuming the presidency, Rousseff was chairman of Petrobras, Brazil’s biggest company, between 2003 and 2010. When … Read more
Former Brazil president Dilma Rousseff has labelled the current leader Michel Temer a “traitor” and “illegitimate president” and called on the government to hold fresh elections. The Senate suspended Rousseff in May over accusations of illegal accounting practices and manipulating the budget to mask a slumping economy. Rousseff denied any wrongdoing and described efforts to … Read more
A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has ordered one of the country’s most senior politicians, Renan Calheiros, to stand down as president of the Senate. Judge Marco Aurelio Mello issued an injunction saying Mr Calheiros’s position was untenable after the court ruled last week that he must face trial for alleged embezzlement. Mr Calheiros has been … Read more
Brazil’s President Michel Temer has said he will block attempts to approve controversial legislation giving amnesty to politicians who received illegal donations for their campaigns. Brazilians have protested in recent weeks against the measure. The proposal comes amid a major corruption investigation at the state oil company, Petrobras. Mr Temer took office in May promising … Read more
A prominent Brazilian minister accused of corruption has resigned, over a scandal which also involves President Michel Temer. Geddel Vieira Lima, who was in charge of relations with Congress, was accused by a former minister of pressuring him to approve a property investment. Mr Temer was also accused of trying to help Mr Lima. The … Read more
Brazil’s President Michel Temer has been accused of pressuring a cabinet minister to engage in corrupt practices. Former Culture Minister Marcelo Calero said Mr Temer asked him to help another minister in a personal business deal. He said he was asked to allow construction of luxury apartments in a historic district of Salvador. Mr Calero, … Read more
Dozens of protesters demanding a military coup have forced their way into Brazil’s lower chamber of Congress in the capital, Brasilia. At least 40 demonstrators scuffled with guards and took over the podium as a session began on Wednesday. Denouncing government corruption, they called for a return to military rule – which Brazil saw from … Read more
Former Brazilian Finance Minister Antonio Palocci has been arrested in connection with a long-running inquiry into corruption at oil giant Petrobras. Prosecutors said he had maintained a “criminal relationship” with officials at a construction conglomerate. His lawyer said he was innocent and called the arrest a “spectacle”. Dozens of politicians and Petrobras executives have been … Read more
Federal prosecutors in Brazil have asked a judge to file corruption charges against former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The prosecutors had been investigating whether Lula and his wife failed to declare ownership of a luxury penthouse in the seaside resort of Guaruja. He has denied owning the flat and says the case is … Read more
Brazilian president Michel Temer was booed as the 2016 Paralympic Games opened in Rio de Janeiro to a backdrop of colour, music and a powerful message of inclusivity. Thousands of performers were involved either side of the two-hour procession of competing countries at the Maracana. Competition begins on Thursday, when Britain’s Dame Sarah Storey can … Read more
Former Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff has left her official residence in the capital Brasilia for the last time following her impeachment and removal from office. Supporters and colleagues gathered outside the Alvorada Palace to bid her farewell, some handing her flowers. Ms Rousseff was dismissed last week after the Senate found her guilty of manipulating … Read more
Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets in Brazil to demonstrate against the government. Organisers said 50,000 people – a record number – turned out in Sao Paulo alone for a seventh day of protests against the new President Michel Temer. Mr Temer took office after Dilma Rousseff was removed from the … Read more
Brazil’s Senate has voted to remove President Dilma Rousseff from office for manipulating the budget. It puts an end to 13 years in power of her left-wing Workers’ Party. Ms Rousseff denies the charges. Sixty-one Senators voted in favour of her impeachment and 20 against, meeting the two-thirds majority needed to remove her from the … Read more
Brazil’s former President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva praised on Monday the speech made by his successor Dilma Rousseff during the Senate’s impeachment trial. Rousseff attended the Senate impeachment session on Monday to present her defence. The suspended president made a long speech defending herself against accusations of financial irregularities, and denouncing the impeachment as … Read more
Brazil’s suspended President Dilma Rousseff has defended her record during her impeachment trial in the Senate. She is accused of illegally manipulating the budget to hide a growing deficit. Ms Rousseff said her conscience was “absolutely clean” and that she had not committed any crime. Senators are due to vote later this week on whether … Read more
The impeachment trial of Brazil’s Dilma Rousseff has reached a dramatic point with the suspended president defending herself in the Senate. Ms Rousseff is accused of illegally manipulating the budget to hide a growing deficit. She denies the allegations and says the impeachment proceedings amount to a coup d’etat. Senators are due to vote this … Read more