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A video that was published Tuesday shows a Brazilian senator shaking a bag of white powder during Dilma Rousseff’s impeachment defense, sparking debate on the origin of the substance.
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The video was taken Monday, when suspended President Rousseff addressed the Senate in her impeachment trial. Dilma’s defense was broadcast live throughout the country.
As Rousseff answered Senator’s Aloysio Nunes questions regarding the charges against her, the camera spotted another senator in the back shaking a small bag of white powder.
Only the hand of the unknown senator can be seen while it holds the substance. The video has created a stir on social media.
Some social media users have argued the senator was indeed holding a bag of cocaine. Others contend that while the bag looks the like sort illicit drug dealers use to package their product, the powder was likely sugar, salt or even baking soda. The senator's office insists the powder was in fact sugar, releasing a picture of it next to a cup of coffee.
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Rousseff Impeachment Trial Suspended Amid Senate Infighting
The scandal comes after Thursday’s impeachment hearings had to be postponed due to several altercations between senators.
One of the main discussions broke out between Senator Lindbergh Farias from Rousseff's Workers Party, PT, and the right-wing senator of Goias, Ronaldo Caiado. Farias accused Caiado of falsely accusing him of corruption to which Caiado branded Farias a “stoner” and cocaine addict.
A final vote is expected after the sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday, when Senators will decide on whether or not to remove Rousseff form office. A two thirds majority, or 54 of 81 senators, is required to seal the impeachment and install the "interim" government of Michel Temer permanently.
"When we think we've seen everything in politics in Brazil, we have a senator who brings cocaine to the plenary session."
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