Who is Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro and what has he said about the Amazon rainforest fires?
BRAZILIAN far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro survived a pre-election stabbing to go on to become the country's president.
The politician, known as Brazil's Donald Trump, was sworn in on New Year's Day 2019. Here's what you need to know about him.
Who is Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro?
Jair Messias Bolsonaro is a far-right politician and former military officer from Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The 63-year-old, who is of Italian descent, is largely seen as a controversial figure in the country, and is known for his populist views.
He ran as the PSL (Social Liberal Party) presidential candidate for the 2018 Brazilian presidential election.
Known as “Brazilian Trump”, he is notorious for making racist, sexist and homophobic comments, and is pro-gun.
Prior to a career in politics, Bolsonaro served in the military for seventeen years, reaching the rank of Captain, with his superiors describing him as "ambitious and aggressive".
Bolsonaro has been married three times and has five children (four sons and a daughter).
While working in Congress, Bolsonaro hired his third wife Michelle as a secretary, giving her unusual promotions and tripling her salary in the space of two years.
He was forced to fire her after Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court ruled that nepotism is illegal in the public administration.
Bolsonaro was sworn in as Brazil's new President on January 1, 2019.
Minutes after taking the oath he vowed to "work tirelessly so that Brazil reaches its destiny".
He added: "My vow is to strengthen Brazil's democracy."
What has he said about the Amazon rainforest fires?
Jair Bolsonaro, 64, claims conservationists want to make him look bad after they blasted him for encouraging loggers and farmers to clear the jungle for cattle ranching.
The president told a steel industry congress in Brasilia: “On the question of burning in the Amazon, which in my opinion may have been initiated by NGOs because they lost money, what is the intention? To bring problems to Brazil.”
He also suggested green groups had gone out with cameras and started fires deliberately so they could be filmed.
However when challenged if he had any evidence to support his claims he replied there were no written records and it was just his feeling.
The 64-year-old, who came to power on January 1, 2019, has repeatedly attacked environmental groups, saying they are obstacles in his quest to develop the country's full economic potential, including in protected areas.
Bolsonaro and Environment Minister Ricardo Salles are both close to the powerful rural caucus in Congress and have been urging more development and economic opportunities in the Amazon region, which they consider overly protected by current legislation.
The government is also facing international pressure to protect the vast rainforest from illegal logging or mining activities.
When was he stabbed and who was arrested?
Bolsonaro was stabbed in the abdomen during a campaign rally in Juiz de Fora on September 6, 2018.
The attack took place in broad daylight as he was lifted above crowds.
The far-right candidate had to undergo life-saving surgery.
His son Flavio Bolsonaro confirmed his father's injuries were serious in a passionate Twitter post, pleading fans to pray for his survival.
Doctors said they found internal bleeding and lacerations to the small and large intestines and not his liver.
According to local media, the politician often wore a bulletproof vest during public rallies, but on this occasion was unprotected.
He was released from hospital on September 29, just days before Brazil went to the polls.
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Police arrested one man, named as Adélio Bispo de Oliveira, who was taken into custody within moments as the crowd turned to lynch him.
Shocking video footage of the attack shows the politician being held up by supporters and waving to the crowd when he is suddenly doubled over in pain, and is seen clutching his abdomen.
The attacker's hand appears to recoil clutching a large knife.
Reports say the man suspected of stabbing the politician says he was told to do it "by God".
De Oliveira's Facebook page criticises various politicians, including Mr Bolsonaro.
Local media claims the assailant’s Facebook page is littered with anti-Bolsonaro posts.