Jair Bolsonaro was sworn in Tuesday as Brazil’s new president in an inauguration ceremony attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, among myriad other world leaders.
During the reception in which international leaders were presented, one at a time, to congratulate the new president, there was only one that prompted an unbridled, joyous response from Bolsonaro: Israel’s Netanyahu. As the Israeli prime minister reached the official reception line to shake the new president’s hand, Bolsonaro simply reached out and embraced his friend in a big, bear hug. Video follows.
In his address to the joint session of Congress, Bolsonaro, a former Army captain called on lawmakers to “combat corruption” and promised to “work tirelessly so that Brazil reaches its destiny.” He pledged to be faithful to democratic norms, saying his vow was “to strengthen Brazil’s democracy.”
It took no time at all for U.S. President Donald Trump to congratulate his new Brazilian counterpart via Twitter, saying he had “made a great inauguration speech – the U.S.A. is with you!”
And even less time for Bolsonaro’s reply, also via Twitter:
Dear Mr. President , I truly appreciate your words of encouragement. Together, under God’s protection, we shall bring prosperity and progress to our people! https://t.co/dplAFNJGdA
— Jair M. Bolsonaro (@jairbolsonaro)