As tragedy grips Brazil after the nation suffered its worst plane crash in history, leaving nearly 200 dead, many are hurling scathing criticisms at President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for his handling of the situation. The President has been under increasing scrutiny after one of his close advisors was filmed apparently celebrating reports that suggested the crash was caused by a mechanical error and not government negligence.
Reuters reports that since Tuesday’s crash of an Airbus A320, Brazilians have been up in arms looking for explanations and for someone to take responsibility for the nation’s second major aviation incident in 10 months. As his nation copes with the tragic event, Lula has been absent, failing to make any public appearances or visits to the crash site. Long-time political rival, Sao Paulo state Governor Jose Serra, has been seen comforting mourning family members while the President, elected to his second term last year, hides in the shadows.
Many say that the President has been absent during the crisis so as not to jeopardize his “lofty approval ratings,” reports Reuters. "Eloquent in favorable situations, the President disappears in adverse situations," political columnist Dora Kramer said on Friday in O Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper.
Lula is not only being criticized for his own actions, or rather, failures to act, but he is also receiving heat for the actions of his advisors. Marco Aurelio Garcia, a foreign policy advisor to the President, was shown on national television Thursday making obscene gestures, after news that pointed to problems with the braking system of the A320. Garcia later attempted to explain his actions, saying that it was a private expression of indignation in response to attempts to blame the government for the accident. Opposition party, Brazilian Social Democracy Party, said the gesture was “an offense to the Brazilian people,” and demanded Lula apologize.
Others have also blundered in the face of the crisis, as chronic delays and flight cancellations have only added to the nation’s burden. Finance Minister Guido Mantega has tried to put a positive spin on the tragedy, calling it a byproduct of Brazil's improving economy. Marta Suplicy, Tourism Minister, callously said irritated travelers should “relax and enjoy.”
This is not the first time Lula has been seen retreating when faced with a difficult situation. Last year, during a previous aviation crisis which disrupted air travel, the President took a beach holiday. After being booed during the opening ceremony of the Pan-American Games in Rio de Janeiro last Friday, Lula abandoned plans for an expected inaugural speech.
However, after the focus of the crash investigation shifted from a faulty runway, which could imply government negligence, to potential pilot error or mechanical failures, Lula has decided he will finally address the nation on late Friday in a nationally televised broadcast.
The latest developments in the investigation state that the aircraft had been flying without one of its thrust reversers, which aid in slowing the plane at landing, reports TAM Linhas Aeras. The company went on to say that the device, which was turned off after a malfunction last week, was not essential to a safe landing. TV Globo reported that an aviation official stated another pilot had difficulty landing the same plane on the same slippery runway. According to Reuters, “An executive for the airline said technical norms allowed flying the jet even with both reversers shut down. A reverser is temporarily deployed at the rear of a jet engine to divert its thrust forward and aid braking.” TAM's chief executive, Marco Antonio Bologna, had said on Wednesday that the aircraft was in "perfect" condition.
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