May 12, 2016 (Brasilia, Brazil) – Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff was suspended from office for six months after a vote in the senate last night reports Reuters. Vice president Michel Temer has now provisionally taken over as acting president as an impeachment trial commences against Rousseff.

Rousseff calls the moves against her “fraudulent” and “a coup.” She admits to making mistakes but denies committing any crime. She is accused notably of disguising the size of the national deficit to make Brazil’s economy look healthier in the run-up to her 2014 re-election.

This only adds to the uncertainties now facing Brazil just ahead of the Rio Olympics from August 5-21. The country facing political crisis concurrent with its worst recession in many decades.

There are also serious health concerns particularly with the Zika virus and some authorities are calling for the Games to be cancelled or hosted elsewhere than in Rio as the potential for a worldwide crisis is much higher than previously thought.

Reuters here.
Independent (Olympics should be hosted elsewhere) here.