Brazilian authorities conducted a sweeping search at former President Jair Bolsonaro’s residence as part of a probe into potentially forged COVID-19 vaccination records that could have facilitated entry into the United States for him and several senior aides. The revelations emerged from multiple newspaper reports, including the New York Times, which detailed the scope of the operation and the allegations involved.
Officials said more than ten residences across Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia were inspected, and six individuals suspected of tampering with the government’s vaccine database and circulating false records were detained. Among those arrested were Bolsonaro’s closest aide and two bodyguards, signaling what investigators describe as a coordinated effort to manipulate health documentation linked to the pandemic period (New York Times).
The Brazilian authorities indicated that Bolsonaro, his 12-year-old daughter Laura, and other high-ranking figures in his administration might have been issued counterfeit vaccination certificates. Police reported that these altered vaccination records spanned from November 2021 to December 2022, a window that overlaps with critical moments in the administration’s handling of pandemic-related health measures.
Documents released by the Brazilian Supreme Court confirm Bolsonaro’s status as a suspect in the case. In a ruling approving the searches, the court described the connection between the politician and the alleged crime as reasonable, logical, and reliable enough to justify the investigative actions taken by authorities, underscoring the judicial seriousness of the probe.
History notes that in 2021, Bolsonaro faced multiple accusations and charges related to pandemic policies. He was criticized for disregarding health guidelines by engaging with large crowds without masks and for remarks that some prosecutors viewed as promoting unverified treatments while casting doubt on vaccines, allegations that have colored public perception of his approach to the crisis and its management.