Boa tarde, caros leitores. Good afternoon, dear readers.

The upcoming presidential election in outubro (October) seem to have pushed tensions to the limit of chaos in Brazil. Although gruesome, attempting to eliminate your political opponents through the use of violence is by no means unprecedented. The United States, for instance, grapples with the baffling number of quatro (four) presidents killed em exercício de mandato (in office). Shocking though that may be, extreme actions and politics have been companions for long. It was no different in here when, in the beginning of esse mês (this month), presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro was fiercely esfaqueado (stabbed) at a rally, during his campaign.

Brasília –  Jair Bolsonaro  (Fabio Rodrigues Pozzebom/ Agencia Brasil)

O que | What: While in the cidade (city) of Juiz de Fora, state of Minas Gerais, Bolsonaro was being carried on the shoulders by a rowdy crowd of apoiadores (supporters) when he was attacked by a man with a faca (knife) was able to break through security. Even though he was vestindo (wearing) a bulletproof vest, Bolsonaro got severely ferido (wounded) in the stomach and rushed immediately to hospital where he was taken to intensive care.

Seu estado atual | His current state: Jair Bolsonaro is agora (now) in stable condition and se recuperando (recovering). Despite being seriously injured in the abdomen at the time, his saúde (health) has melhorou (improved) significantly a couple of semanas (weeks) past the occurrence and the candidate is no longer in a life-threatening situation.

Quem | Who: The attack was perpetrated, as confirmed by the police, by a man called Adélio Bispo de Oliveira. Now placed under arrest while a investigation is being conducted, the assailant claims to have been acting in the name of God. Adélio is not affiliated to any particular organization.

O motivo | The motive: As a frontrunner in the presidential race, the extrema direita (far-right) candidate has been facing high levels of rejection from a large part of the Brazilian population since the announcement of his candidacy. The former congressman and retired officer from the exército (army), though leading the polls, has been called the tropical Trump by the media due to his highly controversial and extremist views.

Os efeitos | The aftermath:  Stating that violence is no way to solve Brazil’s political turmoil, allies and rivals alike have expressed their disapproval of the barbaric act, the consequences of which are still unknown. Some believe that the suspect’s intention ultimately backfired, seeing as Bolsonaro was instantly propelled into martyrdom, drawing sympathy and strengthening his apoio (support). What is important right now is not to let this aggression polarize even further our country’s already fragile democracy.

Desejo a todos uma boa semana. I wish you all a good week.