Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has denied any wrongdoing after a report emerged alleging that a $3.2 million jewelry set gifted to him and his wife by the Saudi Arabian government
had been brought into the country without being declared to authorities. The government of Bolsonaro's successor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has pledged to investigate the matter.
The report, which was published by O Estado de S. Paulo newspaper, claimed that a member of Bolsonaro's government had illegally attempted to bring the jewelry into Brazil. The set consisted of a diamond necklace, ring, watch, and earrings. The Saudi embassy in Brazil has not yet responded to the allegations.
"I'm being accused of a gift I neither asked for nor received," Bolsonaro said in an interview with CNN Brasil. "There is no illegality on my part. I never committed illegal acts."
However, aides of Lula have promised to launch an investigation into the matter. Justice Minister Flavio Dino has said that he will request a federal police investigation, while Paulo Pimenta, a spokesman for the leftist Brazilian president, has stressed that there will be no impunity.
"The evidence is robust and the truth will out," Pimenta said in a social media broadcast.
According to the report, the jewels were found by customs agents in the backpack of an aide to then-Mines and Energy Minister Bento Albuquerque who was returning from an official trip to the Middle East in October 2021. Agents at the Guarulhos airport in Sao Paulo seized the jewelry, as people must declare any goods worth more than $1,000 when they enter Brazil.
The Bolsonaro administration reportedly attempted to recover the jewelry multiple times through government officials but was unsuccessful. The jewelry is valued at 3 million euros ($3.19 million).
This is not the first time that Bolsonaro has faced controversy. During his presidency, he drew criticism for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, his environmental policies, and his comments about women, minorities, and the LGBTQ+ community.
Despite this, Bolsonaro remains a popular figure in Brazil, particularly among his supporters on the far-right. However, his political future is uncertain, as he is facing potential challenges from both the left and the right in the upcoming presidential election.
The investigation into the alleged illegal import of the jewelry set could have serious implications for Bolsonaro's political career. If he is found to have committed illegal acts, it could damage his reputation and harm his chances of winning the election. However, if he is cleared of any wrongdoing, it could strengthen his position and help him to rally his supporters.
Regardless of the outcome of the investigation, it is clear that Brazil is facing a tumultuous political landscape. The country has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and many Brazilians are frustrated with the government's response. The upcoming presidential election is likely to be a heated and contentious affair, with both the left and the right vying for power.
In the meantime, Brazilians are watching closely as the investigation into the alleged illegal import of the jewelry set unfolds. Whatever the outcome, it is clear that this is just one more chapter in Brazil's ongoing political saga. Photo by Carolina Antunes, Wikimedia commons.