Argentine president apologizes for comment ‘in the jungle’ | Race Issues News

Alberto Fernandez said that, unlike Mexicans and Brazilians, Argentines are European, creating accusations of racism.

Argentine President Alberto Fernandez has apologized after the Twitter storm and the debate over regional races sparked a visit to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez after he said current Mexicans come from their hometowns, Brazilians from the “jungle” and the people of his country from Europe.

Fernandez made comments on Wednesday in an attempt to highlight the close ties between Argentina and Spain.

“The Mexicans came from the Indians, the Brazilians from the jungle, but the Argentines from the ships. And they were ships from Europe, ”Fernandez said, saying the words were written by Mexican poet Octavia Paz.

He also told the visiting chief: “I am a Europeanist. I am someone who believes in Europe. “

He later apologized, which sparked a widespread response on social media, as many criticized Fernandez for racial sensitivity.

“I didn’t want to offend anyone. Anyway, anyone who feels insulted or invisible, I apologize, ”Fernandez said on Twitter.

“In the first half of the twentieth century, we received more than five million immigrants living with our native peoples,” he said. “We are proud of our diversity.”

“We’re so ashamed”

However, Brazilian media made statements to Fernandez on Wednesday and many on social media joked that right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro would like to return to the left-wing Argentine leader.

Bolsonaro forced himself to tweet a photo of himself wearing a local dress, smiling among a group of indigenous people. The only text in the tweet was the capitalized word “JUNGLE” with a Brazilian flag emoji on the side.

“SELVA!” ???????? pic.twitter.com/cT9AGjdj5K

– Jair M. Bolsonaro (@jairbolsonaro) June 10, 2021

Eduardo Bolsonaro, a congressman and son of the Brazilian president, said the comments were “racist” and pushed Argentina back because of its troubled economy, in a recession since 2018.

“I say the sinking ship is from Argentina,” he posted on Twitter.

Youtube users posted the answers below a video of the talk, expressing anger or uneasiness.

“Sorry Mexican and Brazilian friends, we feel very embarrassed on behalf of all Argentines. You know how much we love you, your country and your customs, ”said one user named Barbara Bongiovanni.

Meanwhile, former Mexican President Felipe Calderon questioned whether that mention belonged to Mexican novelist Paz Paz.

“It simply came to our notice then [Mexican comedian] Cantinflas, or [Argentine comedians] Les Luthiers, but Octavio Paz? I hope he mentions the source, ”Calderon tweeted.