Political situation in Brazil

Bolsonaro's son throws his sandals: "I was wrong"

Former President Jair Bolsonaro's son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, is one of the country's right-wing politicians who is calling for a boycott of Havaianas. He believes that the new commercial with the acting icon Fernanda Torres is a mockery of the right.

In a post on Instagram, he throws a pair of flip-flops into the trash can and points to the Brazilian flag that has become a clear recognition mark for Havaianas sandals.

- I thought this was a national symbol, but I was wrong. They have chosen a spokesperson who is openly left-wing.

In a commercial for Havaianas, Fernanda Torres urges viewers to start 2026 "with both feet" instead of with the right foot, which has been interpreted as a jab.

Brazilian right-wing rages against flip-flop commercial

Conservative politicians and debaters in Brazil are calling for a boycott of the sandal company Havaianas, several media outlets report. This is because of an advertisement that they perceive as a jab at the Brazilian right.

In the advertisement, Oscar-nominated actress Fernanda Torres says that she hopes viewers start the new year “with both feet” instead of with the right foot. One of those now calling for a boycott is congresswoman Bia Kicis.

“If Havaianas doesn’t want us, we don’t want Havaianas,” she writes in a post on X.