Bolsonaro threatens Brazil with military action

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro once again demanded a return to normality on Thursday, now threatening to involve the military against any local governments announcing new lockdowns in the midst of a new, brutal wave of COVID-19.

This adds to concerns over Bolsonaro's unprecedented attempts to politicize the military.

In the northern Amazonas state, Bolsonaro hinted at his threat to the Armed Forces.

"More than an obligation and duty, I am sure you (the Armed Forces) will act within the four lines of the constitution, if necessary. I hope it will not be necessary and that we return to normality. We are not yet in it, we are far from it. But no one can accuse the current president of being a person who is not a democrat, who does not respect the law, and who does not exist within the constitution."

Bolsonaro reiterated that freedom in Brazil is in the hands of the military.

The far-right president aims to run for re-election next year, though he has been widely criticised for his handling of the pandemic, including opposing lockdowns.

Brazil has reported more than 450,000 deaths since the pandemic began.