Mônica Bergamo: Bolsonaro government spent at least BRL 136,000 on event with Elon Musk at Fasano

The government of Jair Bolsonaro (PL) spent at least BRL 136,055.25 to welcome billionaire Elon Musk at the Fasano Boa Vista hotel, in Porto Feliz, in the interior of São Paulo. The figure was presented by the Ministry of Communications after a request for information sent to the portfolio by the PSOL bench in the Chamber.

The amount refers to the planning and logistical support for the event and does not include the total expenses of all government representatives who attended the meeting.

The Ministry of Communications says it does not have access to the costs spent by the presidential delegation at the time and, therefore, does not detail the total expenses with air tickets, accommodation and food.

Elon Musk came to Brazil in May of this year to participate in the “Conecta Amazônia” event and promote the launch of the Starlink satellite internet service in the country. He was accompanied by President Jair Bolsonaro, government officials and businessmen.

On Twitter, the businessman said that the initiative would provide connections for 19,000 schools in rural areas in Brazil and assist in monitoring the Amazon. The Ministry of Communications said that the implementation of the program would start later this year.

In response to the PSOL bench, however, the Ministry of Communications says, on several occasions, that Starlink was not hired.

When Musk came to the country, the ministry stated that the partnership for low-orbit satellites did not depend on bidding and could be closed through an administrative process at Anatel (National Telecommunications Agency). SpaceX received authorization from the regulator in January of this year.

In the request for information, the ministry says that the authorization for the implementation of the network and launch of satellites is made by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), and that it is up to the administration of the country of origin to comply with the established regulatory procedures.

“In March 2018, the launch of the Starlink system was authorized by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the United States, for a period of 15 years, counting from the start of operation”, it states in a letter, without making it clear whether the process with the ITU has already been carried out.

“Anatel, within the scope of its competence, granted the right to explore the non-geostationary satellite system to the company Space Exploration Holdings until March 28, 2027”, it continues.

Asked by the PSOL bench if the 2022 presidential elections were addressed by President Jair Bolsonaro during the meeting with Elon Musk, the ministry denied it and said that the matter was not part of the event.

_{with BIANKA VIEIRA (interim), KARINA MATIAS and MANOELLA SMITH}