By Gabriel Stargardter

RIO DE JANEIRO – Brazilian President Jairbolsonaro’s security force allegedly used violence to harass Brazilian journalists covering the trip to Rome for a meeting of the Group of 20 major countries, according local media reports.

Bolsonaro was long accused by the Brazilian media of treating Bolsonaro unfairly and publishing false news. This weekend ended in a bleak one for his far-right party. He was seen as an isolated figure in videos from G20 events, and was not included in the Trevi fountain photograph with global leaders. On the streets of Rome, his handling of the nation’s horrific pandemic was widely criticized. Critics called him “genocidal.”

COVID-19 has claimed the lives of more than 600,000. This is the second-highest death toll in the world, after the United States. Bolsonaro has doubted the gravity of the virus and shunned locking downs. He also sowed doubts about vaccines and tried unproven remedies. Bolsonaro was recommended by a Senate panel to be charged with nine offences related to the handling of pandemic. This includes crimes against humanity.

O Globo newspaper reported that Leonardo Monteiro, a broadcast journalist for TV Globo, was punched in his stomach and forced to move by Bolsonaro security officers after he asked the president why he wasn’t attending any G20 events. Jamil Chade from UOL captured chaotic scenes of security personnel jostling journalists, and Bolsonaro supporters screaming abuse at them.

It wasn’t clear whether the officers were Brazilians or Italians. O Globo said that Bolsonaro was provided security by Italians.

Although the President’s Office did not respond immediately to inquiries about the attacks, or why he was absent from the photos of leaders, Requests for comment from the G20 media team were also not answered immediately.

TV Globo issued a statement saying, “Globo strongly condemns the violence against Leonardo Monteiro, our correspondent in Rome”

Bolsonaro appears isolated in videos from G20 events

Former army captain’s international support has declined since Trump was defeated in his bid for re-election. Bolsonaro’s skeptical views on COVID-19, vaccinations and other environmental concerns have earned him little respect from the world stage.

Jamilchade captured Bolsonaro engaging in conversation with Italian waiters while global leaders converse in the opposite part of the room.

Oliver Stuenkel of the Getulio Vargas Foundation tweeted: “This video shows Bolsonaro alone walking in the G20 conference center, while others are chatting. It is very painful to see, but it accurately reflects Brazil’s decline in the global standing.”