Brazilian president leads motorcade of thousands of supporters

Jair Bolsonaro remains defiant in the face of mounting pressure to account for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro joined thousands of his supporters in a motorcycle rally in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, as the far-right leader remains defiant in the face of ongoing pressure over his government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The motorcyclists travelled about 40km (25 miles) along the city’s famous Ipanema and Copacabana beaches, before reaching Flamengo beach where Bolsonaro stepped down from his motorcycle and greeted the crowd. “My army will never go into the streets to force you to stay home,” the former army captain said.