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2016 in Brazil
2016 in Brazil
2016 in Brazil
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Events in the year 2016 in Brazil:

Incumbents

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Federal government

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Governors

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Vice governors

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Events

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March

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April

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May

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June

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July

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August

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September

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October

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November

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December

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Arts and culture

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Sports

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Deaths

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January

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February

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March

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April

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May

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June

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July

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August

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September

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October

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November

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December

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See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

2016 in Brazil

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2016 in Brazil was a year of profound political, economic, and public health challenges in the Federative Republic of Brazil, highlighted by the impeachment and removal of President Dilma Rousseff on August 31 for budgetary manipulations, the hosting of the Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics from August 5 to 21, an intensifying recession that contracted the economy by 3.6 percent, and a Zika virus outbreak centered in the country that prompted the World Health Organization to declare a in February.
Ongoing investigations under , which exposed widespread corruption involving politicians and business leaders, fueled massive anti-government protests throughout the year, including large-scale demonstrations in March, April, and August demanding Rousseff's ouster and an end to graft.
These events unfolded against a backdrop of social unrest, culminating in municipal elections on October 2 and 30, where voters expressed frustration with established parties amid the broader crisis.

Events

January

In January 2016, Brazil's economic activity index unexpectedly contracted by 0.61%, signaling the persistence of the recession that saw decline by 3.8% in 2015, with forecasts anticipating a further drop of around 3.5% for the year amid elevated inflation exceeding 10%. The Operation Car Wash (Lava Jato) investigations advanced, with reports emerging of corruption influencing the awarding of contracts for major infrastructure projects, further implicating political figures and state entities in ongoing bribery schemes. Rising cases prompted initial government scrutiny, including investigations into links with increasing such as microcephaly, as reports documented more affected infants amid the outbreak's spread.

February

On February 1, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak and its association with microcephaly and other a , with Brazil identified as the primary focus due to clusters of cases reported there. The declaration emphasized the rapid spread of the virus in Brazil, where thousands of suspected microcephaly cases in newborns had been linked to maternal Zika infections, prompting urgent calls for coordinated international research and response. In response, the Brazilian government detailed an array of national efforts to contain the outbreak, including intensified vector control targeting the Aedes aegypti mosquito through fumigation, breeding site elimination, and public mobilization. These measures aligned with broader strategies for surveillance and mitigation, as Brazil shared epidemiological data to aid regional responses while facing international travel advisories urging caution, particularly for pregnant women visiting affected areas. Amid the and ongoing investigations, President Dilma Rousseff confronted escalating opposition calls for , rooted in accusations of during the deepening , though specific responses in February focused on maintaining governmental stability.

March

On March 13, massive anti-government protests erupted across Brazil, with police estimates indicating around 3 million participants in over 150 cities demanding President Dilma Rousseff's impeachment and an end to corruption. Demonstrators, waving Brazilian flags and chanting against the ruling Workers' Party, blamed Rousseff for economic woes and scandals uncovered by (), marking one of the largest protest turnouts in the country's history. investigations advanced amid the unrest, with ongoing revelations implicating executives and politicians in the , fueling public outrage that propelled the demonstrations. Congressional debates intensified over 's alleged violations of fiscal responsibility laws through , heightening political pressure on her administration.

April

In April, opposition lawmakers intensified efforts to impeach President Dilma Rousseff, with debates commencing in on April 16 amid widespread political tension and anticipated street demonstrations. Pro- and anti-impeachment rallies converged near Congress, prompting authorities to erect a kilometer-long barricade to separate crowds ahead of key votes. Supporters of Rousseff, organized largely by allied labor unions and social movements, staged disruptive actions including highway blockades across multiple states later in the month to protest the proceedings. Rousseff and her Workers' Party (PT) mounted a vigorous defense, framing the as a partisan coup and rallying core allies within the PT coalition to sustain legislative resistance. The PT emphasized Rousseff's commitment to constitutional governance, urging party loyalists and progressive groups to mobilize against what they described as undemocratic maneuvers by opposition forces. Facing a deepening recession—with GDP projected to contract further that year—the Central Bank of Brazil maintained its benchmark SELIC interest rate at 14.25% during its April meeting to anchor inflation expectations amid persistent price pressures. These monetary tightening measures aimed to stabilize the economy battered by falling household consumption and commodity dependence, though fiscal constraints limited broader budget adjustment announcements at the time.

May

On May 12, the Brazilian Senate voted 55-22 to suspend President Dilma Rousseff from office and authorize a full impeachment trial in the upper house over allegations of . This decision, following months of anti-government protests and lower house approval, allowed Vice President to assume interim presidential powers effective May 12. Temer swiftly formed a new cabinet dominated by conservative allies, appointing former central bank chief Henrique Meirelles as finance minister to signal fiscal austerity measures aimed at economic recovery. The all-male lineup, lacking female or minority representation despite Brazil's diversity, drew criticism for reflecting a rightward policy shift, including plans to trim public spending. Public reactions were polarized, with Rousseff denouncing the suspension as a "coup" and vowing to fight legally, while faced immediate protests over cabinet choices and early decisions like dissolving the . Temer's approval ratings hovered low, with over 60% disapproval amid concerns about democratic erosion, though some welcomed the potential for stabilization. Legal challenges to the suspension emerged through Rousseff's defenses in the impending trial, emphasizing no criminal violation had occurred.

June

Following 's suspension as president in May, 's interim government focused on stabilizing the economy through proposed reforms, including changes to labor laws aimed at increasing flexibility for employers and workers. On June 9, Temer's administration signaled its commitment to advancing labor and despite ongoing political challenges, with aides emphasizing that these measures would proceed to address fiscal imbalances. investigations continued with significant testimonies implicating international firms in Petrobras-related corruption. A high-ranking former Petrobras executive revealed to investigators that and had paid bribes dating back a decade to secure contracts, highlighting the probe's expanding scope. Social unrest persisted with smaller-scale protests against 's policies, particularly among scientists opposing proposed mergers of research ministries that they argued would undermine scientific funding and autonomy. Demonstrations occurred in cities like Natal on June 2, where participants wore symbolic masks protesting the changes.

July

On July 7, Eduardo Cunha resigned as president of just before the Ethics Committee was set to vote on his removal for corruption, perjury about offshore bank accounts, and obstructing investigations tied to Operation Car Wash. This ousting stemmed from findings that he had lied to lawmakers about undeclared assets, marking a significant blow to the political class amid ongoing probes. Ahead of the Rio Olympics, authorities enhanced security protocols, reviewing deployments after the and bolstering anti-terror measures with additional military and police forces in Rio de Janeiro. concerns prompted intensified preventive actions, including widespread mosquito fumigation, public advisories on bite prevention and safe sex, and recommendations discouraging pregnant women from traveling to affected areas. reflected the recession's persistence, with contraction in and underscoring despite interim President 's early stabilization efforts from June.

August

The 2016 Summer Olympics were held in Rio de Janeiro from August 5 to 21, marking the first time the Games were hosted in South America. The opening ceremony took place on August 5 at , featuring cultural displays of Brazil's history, biodiversity, and social issues. Brazil achieved its best-ever Olympic performance, securing 19 medals including 7 golds. The event faced controversies, including the that led to restrictions on Russian athletes' participation and concerns over venue readiness, such as issues with the Olympic Village accommodations. Security operations were intensified during the Games, with tens of thousands of personnel deployed to address crime risks and public health threats, including the ongoing that had prompted travel warnings. On August 31, Brazil's Senate voted 61-20 to permanently remove President Dilma Rousseff from office, convicting her of that violated fiscal responsibility laws, thereby confirming as president for the remainder of the term.

September

On September 7, Brazil observed with traditional parades, but newly installed encountered widespread booing and heckling from crowds in Brasília, reflecting deep public dissatisfaction amid economic hardship and recent political upheaval following the prior month. Protesters chanted against and corruption, highlighting divided sentiments toward Temer's interim leadership. investigations persisted, with indicting two executives from the major builder Queiroz Galvão on September 1, extending the probe into bribery and money-laundering schemes linked to Petrobras contracts.

October

The first round of Brazil's nationwide took place on October 2, electing mayors, vice-mayors, and city councilors across the country's more than 5,500 municipalities. The results marked a significant setback for the Workers' Party (PT), with the party losing ground in many areas amid widespread voter dissatisfaction linked to ongoing political and economic challenges. Anti-PT parties, including allies of interim President , registered gains, reflecting a broader shift in voter preferences away from PT dominance at the local level. occurred on October 30 in larger cities where no candidate secured a majority in the first round, determining outcomes in key urban centers such as Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. reached record lows, with high and underscoring public disillusionment and apathy toward established political options. This electoral dynamic signaled a pivotal , diminishing the PT's longstanding influence in and bolstering forces aligned with 's administration.

November

President hosted Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa in Brasília on November 1 for the 12th Brazil-Portugal Summit, where discussions focused on deepening bilateral economic ties and cooperation in areas such as defense and culture. This engagement reflected Temer's broader strategy to prioritize pragmatic foreign relations with traditional partners amid Brazil's economic challenges. In response to Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election on November 8, promptly congratulated the president-elect and expressed optimism for sustained bilateral dialogue on trade and investment, while Brazilian officials monitored potential shifts in global economic signals that could impact commodity exports. Domestically, the anti-corruption bill—stemming from a petition signed by over 2 million citizens—advanced through debates in the , incorporating measures to address electoral slush funds, though legislators introduced amendments that sparked concerns over weakening prosecutorial powers; affirmed on November 27 his intent to veto any clauses providing amnesty for corrupt acts.

December

In December 2016, year-end economic assessments confirmed Brazil's deepened recession, with government estimates projecting a full-year GDP contraction of 3.5 percent amid persistent contraction across sectors. This reflected ongoing challenges from low commodity prices, high inflation, and political uncertainty, exacerbating unemployment and fiscal pressures. 's administration faced low approval ratings, yet advanced political consolidations by enacting a constitutional amendment capping public spending growth, marking one of the world's harshest to stabilize finances ahead of planned 2017 reforms on pensions and labor laws. Temer dismissed concerns over his popularity during a mid-month statement, prioritizing fiscal discipline despite public discontent. During the holiday period, reflections highlighted the as a stabilizing pivot from earlier instability, though 's government remained tainted by corruption scandals, while the Rio Olympics left a mixed legacy of enhanced infrastructure overshadowed by mounting debt and unfulfilled economic boosts. Brazilians expressed cautious optimism for recovery; municipal election outcomes in October had favored center-right coalitions aligned with Temer's agenda.

References

  1. https://www.cnn.com/2016/08/31/americas/brazil-rousseff-impeachment-vote
  2. https://www.olympics.com/en/olympic-games/rio-2016
  3. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-39193748
  4. https://www.who.int/emergencies/situations/zika-virus-outbreak
  5. https://www.state.gov/reports/2016-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/brazil
  6. https://www.as-coa.org/articles/update-five-lessons-brazils-future-local-election-results
  7. http://www.brics-info.org/brazils-economic-activity-unexpectedly-shrinks-in-january/
  8. https://www.imf.org/en/blogs/articles/2016/01/22/latin-america-and-the-caribbean-in-2016-adjusting-to-a-harsher-reality
  9. https://www.rateinflation.com/inflation-rate/brazil-historical-inflation-rate/
  10. https://news.mongabay.com/2016/01/bndes-corruption-guided-award-of-huge-amazon-dam-contracts-in-brazil/
  11. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-35368401
  12. https://www.who.int/news/item/01-02-2016-who-director-general-summarizes-the-outcome-of-the-emergency-committee-regarding-clusters-of-microcephaly-and-guillain-barr%C3%A9-syndrome
  13. https://www.bbc.com/news/health-35459797
  14. https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/204371/zikasitrep_12Feb2?sequence=1
  15. https://www.paho.org/en/news/25-2-2016-zika-data-collected-brazil-helping-other-countries-address-virus
  16. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/record-brazil-protests-put-rousseff-s-future-in-doubt-idUSKCN0WF0IX/
  17. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/13/brazil-anti-government-protests-dilma-rousseff-rio-de-janeiro
  18. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-35798875
  19. https://ukraine.wilsoncenter.org/article/brazilians-rise-against-corruption
  20. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-36021230
  21. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/4/16/brazil-tense-as-mps-begin-impeachment-debate
  22. https://www.cnn.com/2016/04/15/americas/brazil-impeachment-dilma-rousseff
  23. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/04/28/brazils-anti-impeachment-protesters-block-highways-at-rush-hour/
  24. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/18/brazil-workers-party-vows-remain-in-power-despite-impeachment-vote
  25. https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/mi/research-analysis/28042016-economics-brazil-s-central-bank-refrains-from-loosening-policy-amid-strong-inflation.html
  26. https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2016/04/18/brazilian-waxing-and-waning
  27. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/three-months-before-olympics-brazil-impeaches-its-president
  28. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/12/dilma-rousseff-brazil-president-impeached-senate-vote
  29. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-12/brazil-acting-president-temer-names-cabinet-on-rousseff-ouster
  30. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/13/michel-temer-brazil-president-rebuild-impeachment
  31. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-06-09/brazil-pension-labor-reforms-coming-this-year-temer-aide-says
  32. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-06-07/alstom-ge-accused-of-decade-old-bribes-by-ex-petrobras-official
  33. https://www.nature.com/articles/nature.2016.20071
  34. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/08/world/americas/eduardo-cunha-an-architect-of-presidents-ouster-resigns-as-house-speaker.html
  35. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-36812183
  36. https://www.cnn.com/2016/07/07/americas/rio-olympics-terror-preparations
  37. https://au.int/web/sites/default/files/documents/31227-doc-rio_2016_and_zikv_risk_-prevention_recommendations_15july2016_3-1.pdf
  38. https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2016/cr16348.pdf
  39. https://www.olympics.com/en/news/a-brazil-style-opening-ceremony
  40. https://www.olympics.com/en/olympic-games/rio-2016/medals
  41. https://www.cbssports.com/olympics/news/heres-a-list-of-all-the-issues-surrounding-the-2016-rio-olympics/
  42. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/zika-security-concerns-overblown-says-rio-olympics-boss
  43. https://www.dailysabah.com/americas/2016/09/09/temers-government-heckled-and-booed-in-first-events-as-brazil-president
  44. http://en.cubadebate.cu/news/2016/09/07/thousands-protest-brazils-temer-on-independence-day/
  45. https://brazilenergyinsight.com/2016/09/01/brazilian-police-arrest-two-as-corruption-probe-turns-to-major-builder-queiroz-galvao-2/
  46. https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/en/politica/noticia/2016-10/brazil-municipal-elections-were-peaceful
  47. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-02/brazil-heads-to-the-polls-in-nationwide-municipal-elections
  48. https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2016/10/18/braz-o18.html
  49. https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=15471&context=notisur
  50. https://www.gov.br/mre/en/contact-us/press-area/press-releases/12th-brazil-portugal-summit-brasilia-november-1-2016
  51. https://gestaoconteudo.presidencia.gov.br/gestao_brazilgovnews/about-brazil/news/2016/11/temers-first-six-months-in-office-key-facts-and-figures
  52. https://www.riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/rio-politics/brazils-reaction-to-trump-win-ranges-from-concern-to-joy/
  53. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/09/world-leaders-react-to-donald-trumps-us-election-victory
  54. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/30/brazil-graft-scandal-anti-corruption-bill-congress
  55. https://gestaoconteudo.presidencia.gov.br/gestao_brazilgovnews/about-brazil/news/2016/11/president-temer-vows-to-veto-any-amnesty-to-corrupt-practices
  56. https://www.npr.org/2016/12/30/507517743/with-2016-about-to-end-brazilians-look-forward-to-a-better-year
  57. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/mar/03/brazil-economy-low-oil-prices-inflation
  58. https://www.vox.com/world/2016/12/15/13957284/brazil-spending-cap-austerity
  59. https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/en/politica/noticia/2016-12/president-temer-not-worried-about-popularity
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