Latino says he is a victim of censorship and defends Bolsonaro: ‘He is a winner’

One of the most active and engaged defenders of Jair Bolsonaro on social networks before the elections, the Latino singer does not hide his disappointment with the result of the polls but says that there is no feeling of defeat. To F5, the interpreter of “Festa no Apê” says that his candidate is a winner: “Just put him on the street and see how the people receive him, admire him”, he justifies.

Latino complains that he was a victim of censorship after having his networks blocked by court order before the second round, when he insinuated that, if Lula were elected, bathrooms in the country would become unisex.

Minister Alexandre de Moraes, president of the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), understood that the publication sought to “disinform the population about sensitive issues”. In other words: fake news. The singer is still not satisfied with the decision. “Today’s censors have confused the citizen Roberto Souza Rocha with the Latino artist”, he says.

She says that, despite maintaining a somewhat close relationship with Bolsonaro (the two had lunch together during the campaign and used to exchange reciprocal compliments), she did not seek him out after the elections. “I didn’t feel entitled to bother him. But I know that if I went to him, he would be as receptive as he always was with everyone.” He denies the information published on the internet that he is planning to leave Brazil in order not to live in the country under Lula’s government.

How did you receive your candidate’s defeat?

There was no defeat. President Bolsonaro is a winner, regardless of the result at the polls. Just put it on the street and see how the people receive it, admire it. As for the result of the elections, I was sad, but life goes on.

Have you ever been to a vigil, like actress Cássia Kis? Do you want to participate in any protests?

My political position was exposed in my networks. I’m not afraid to introduce myself or show what I think. I do it out of conviction and love for Brazil. Unfortunately and wrongly, I was treated as something of a radical. But what I regret most is having been the victim of censorship. [Latino teve as contas no Twitter e no Instagram bloqueadas por ordem judicial]🇧🇷

How did you see the presence of Jair Bolsonaro’s son in Qatar at the start of the World Cup while his supporters were camped outside barracks?

As a football lover and patriot, it is worth attending the event. As a parliamentarian, it is a global fraternization event with several important personalities from the world stage. In any of these hypotheses, I don’t think any of us have enough information to make a value judgment about Eduardo Bolsonaro’s trip. As for the vigils, it is an organic and spontaneous popular movement.

Bolsonaro has been incommunicado since the defeat. Have you tried talking to him?

I don’t think it’s incommunicable. I didn’t try to talk to him. Bolsonaro is the president of Brazil, you can’t keep wasting his time for nothing, and I didn’t feel entitled to bother him. But I know that if I went to him, he would be receptive.

Is it true that you think about leaving the country?

Because?! I am Brazilian with great honor and my shirt will always be green and yellow. I would never abandon ship because of a more intense tide. Brazil is my base and my place.

What did you think of the list of singers who will sing at Lula’s inauguration?

I confess that I did not follow the list. I believe they must be consecrated names of national music. I just hope that whoever sings does it as a Brazilian, and not for money. I hope that it is not a participation aimed at opening doors to collect public resources like those offered by the Rouanet Law, for example. If participation is due to political conviction, let it be as a donation.

Do you believe that artists who publicly supported Bolsonaro may suffer some kind of retaliation in the next government?

Wanting to reduce the issue to “Bolsonaro supporter artist” x “Bolsonaro non-supporter artist” is to minimize what we are experiencing too much.

But are there any fears about it?

I do not depend nor do I want to depend on public money. I want “my audience” and the biggest retaliation I could suffer, I already suffered. The public is what sustains me and my networks are the access channels for booking shows. Today’s censors have confused the citizen Roberto Souza Rocha with the Latino artist. This needs to stop. Brazil needs to be free.

It’s 31 years of a career with ups and downs, with successes and criticism too. What still moves you?

I work with a branch that pulls our age down (laughs) and that makes me want to keep getting stronger. Music is my soul and that’s why I always see myself as a newbie.

What do you expect for 2023?

Back then, I glimpsed the desire to resume in 2022. Politics aside, I look to 2023 as a year that could be very good. I always try to think positively.