Bolsonaro seeks to placate truckers snarling Brazil highways

By DIANE JEANTET and DAVID BILLER
Associated Press

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Protesting truckers snarled traffic along highways in many Brazilian states on Thursday as President Jair Bolsonaro asked them to stand down and later published an unusual statement backpedaling his comments that inflamed political tensions. Bolsonaro rallied supporters on Tuesday to coincide with Independence Day and show strength as his approval ratings slide and he feuds with the Supreme Court. Truckers turned out in force, even parking on the capital’s central mall. Two days later, some truck drivers remained mobilized, raising concern that Bolsonaro may have lost control of some of his most fervent supporters after firing them up.