The Brazilian president drives a motorhome with thousands of followers Coronavirus pandemic News

Jair Bolsonaro remains challenged to consider the treatment of the COVID-19 pandemic in the face of growing pressure.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro joined his thousands supporters at a motorcycle rally in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday as the far-right leader remains challenged by pressure from his government to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Motorcyclists drove about 40 km through the city’s famous Ipanema and Copacabana beaches, where Bolsonaro got off his motorcycle and greeted people before reaching Flamenco beach.

“My army will never go out on the streets to force me to stay home,” the former army captain said.

“Without any scientific evidence, the governors and mayors have imposed confinement or calls for places … We are ready to take all necessary measures to ensure your freedom,” Bolsonaro added.

There has been a lot of criticism of the president to escape Public health experts say coronavirus-related measures, such as blockades, can help stop the spread of a hard-hit virus.

Early in the crisis, Bolsonaro dismissed the virus as a “flu” and advocated the use of anti-malarial drugs. hydroxychloroquine He treated local leaders who wanted to treat COVID-19, and imposed health restrictions.

More than 448,000 people have died as a result of coronavirus (the second largest death in the world after the United States) and more than 16 million cases have been confirmed so far, according to Johns Hopkins University accounts.

But Bolsonaro continues to rule out the need for public health measures to tackle the virus – despite the Brazilian Senate agreeing research his government to handle the pandemic.

Al Jazeera’s Monica Yanakiew, from Rio de Janeiro, said about 10,000 motorcyclists took part in Sunday’s demonstration, organized by a close friend of Bolsonaro’s.

“They want to show that President Jair Bolsonaro is still in favor, despite polls showing that Bolsonaro would be defeated. [2022] Election of former President Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva, ”Yanakiew said.

Lula, who was president of Brazil from 2003 to 2011, was disqualified from running in the 2018 presidential election after being convicted of corruption.

But the Supreme Court judge he threw his conviction in March, opening the door for Lula to return to politics. Top court confirmed decision in April.

Although the left-wing leader has not said he intends to run in next year’s election, recent polls show he would defeat Bolsonaro if he did so.

“I ran eight kilometers before this interview … and I usually run 9 km a day, Monday to Friday, because walking in Brazil will be very hard, very tiring and I have to prepare my legs to solve the problems in this country,” Lula said ago few conversation With The Guardian.

“I will be 77 years old [by next year’s election]. I thought that was old. But then I saw that Biden won the election in ’78 and I said, ‘Well, I’m a boy compared to Biden, so I’ll be fine.’