(Photo : REUTERS/Adriano Machado/Agencia Brasil)
In the photo: Jair Bolsonaro (left), Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (right)

Former Brazilian President Luiza Inacio Lula da Silva recently called Jair Bolsonaro a "troglodyte" in an impassioned interview with a local Brazilian news outlet.

Lula walked out of prison in November 2019 after serving a 12-year corruption sentence for his involvement in a massive Petrobras corruption scandal where more than a dozen people, including politicians and top executives, were arrested.

In the interview, Lula said Bolsonaro is leading Brazil and its people "to the slaughterhouse" due to inaction, dismissal of facts, and an overall irresponsible handling of the COVID-19 crisis.

He said Bolsonaro's continuous attack on social distancing measures and the firing of his health minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta increases the risk of Brazil resembling the tragic scene playing out in Ecuador where families leave their deceased loved ones in the streets due to a shortage in coffins.

The 74-year-old leftist believes Brazil will suffer a great deal as the people of Guayaquil did should Bolsonaro continue his recklessness. He urged local institutions to consider an impeachment "if Bolsonaro continues to commit crimes of responsibility."

"He's trying to lead us to a slaughterhouse," he said.

Jair Bolsonaro

Brazil's current president is known for being a staunch critic of COVID-19 and the guidelines presented by federal health organizations. Bolsonaro has proudly declared himself a homophobe.

In an interview with British actor Stephen Fry, the far-right president claimed: "homosexual fundamentalists" were forcing children to become gays and lesbians for their pleasure.

The former army captain is also despised for his hostility against preserving wildlife, honoring indigenous rights, and the art. He has repeatedly painted the media as a tool manipulated by the opposition to create panic and a narrative.

Since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic in early March, Bolsonaro has, on more than one occasion, dismissed the need to observe distancing measures. In a press conference, he compared the coronavirus, which has killed 155,173 people across the globe, to a mere seasonal cold.

In the past week, Bolsonaro went for a walk and shook the hands of his followers against the advice of then-health minister Mandetta.

In March, the rightwing populist encouraged Brazil's people to bathe in excrement, claiming "nothing will happen."

Bolsonaro Jr.

(Photo : REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino)
Brazilian Deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro

Bolsonaro's son, Eduardo, received a tremendous amount of backlash after he claimed the Chinese government was to blame for COVID-19.

His remark drew a lot of ire from Chinese diplomats who demanded Brazil's de factor foreign minister to retract the statement and issue an apology for insulting the Chinese Communist Party.

The Chinese embassy hit back at Eduardo by claiming he contracted "a mental virus." They also said Eduardo lacked the international vision and common sense.

"The Bolsonaro family is the great poison of this country," they said.

Eduardo posted an apology in a series of tweets a day later. He claimed he did not mean to offend anyone, saying he was only criticizing the Chinese government for the way they handled the virus. He said his message was wrongly interpreted.

"I shared a post that would have been useful in prevention on a global scale," he added.