Analysis
The phrase *'O erro da ditadura foi torturar e não matar'* ('The mistake of the dictatorship was to torture and not to kill') was uttered by Bolsonaro during a 1999 debate at **Clube Hebraica** in Rio de Janeiro. The remark was widely reported at the time by Brazilian media, including *Folha de S.Paulo* and *O Globo*, and Bolsonaro has never denied it. In fact, he referenced the statement again in later interviews, reinforcing its authenticity. The context was a discussion about Brazil’s military dictatorship (1964–1985), during which Bolsonaro—then a federal deputy—expressed support for its authoritarian methods.
Background
Bolsonaro, a former army captain, has a long history of controversial statements praising Brazil’s military regime, which was responsible for systematic human rights abuses, including torture and extrajudicial killings. His 1999 remark aligns with his broader pattern of defending the dictatorship’s actions, often framing them as necessary for 'order.' The statement resurfaced repeatedly during his political career, including his 2018 presidential campaign, where it became a focal point for critics accusing him of glorifying violence.
Verdict summary
Jair Bolsonaro did make this statement in 1999, as confirmed by multiple credible sources and his own later acknowledgment.