Brazil's Second Culture Minister Fired After Controversial COVID Comments
In a notable decision, Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro has let go of his second culture minister in just three months. Regina Duarte, a former telenovela star who became the Special Secretary of Culture in March, was dismissed after a controversial interview on May 7. During her appearance on CNN Brasil, she downplayed the COVID-19 crisis, saying, "Man, I'm sorry, humanity doesn't stop dying," and suggested the media should focus less on the death toll. She replaced Roberto Alvim, who was fired for referencing Joseph Goebbels in a video. As of February 28, Brazil had reported around 271,885 COVID-19 cases and 17,983 deaths, affecting many in the arts. Duarte will now head the Cinemateca Brasileira in São Paulo.
Key facts
- Regina Duarte fired as Special Secretary of Culture after three months
- Duarte replaced Roberto Alvim, fired for paraphrasing Joseph Goebbels
- Duarte made controversial comments on CNN Brasil on 7 May 2020
- 271,885 COVID-19 cases and 17,983 deaths in Brazil as of 28 February
- Arts figures who died include Abraham Palatnik, Aldir Blanc, Moraes Moreira, Dona Neném, Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza, Sérgio Sant'Anna, Rubem Fonseca
- Museums and galleries closed throughout Brazil
- Bolsonaro has downplayed the pandemic and flouted lockdown rules
- Duarte appointed to head Cinemateca Brasileira in São Paulo
Entities
Artists
- Regina Duarte
- Roberto Alvim
- Abraham Palatnik
- Aldir Blanc
- Moraes Moreira
- Dona Neném
- Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza
- Sérgio Sant'Anna
- Rubem Fonseca
- Jair Bolsonaro
Institutions
- Special Secretary of Culture
- CNN Brasil
- Cinemateca Brasileira
Locations
- Brazil
- São Paulo