Brazil senators vote to recommend criminal charges for Bolsonaro

Driving the news: The vote comes after a six-month investigation by an 11-member committee investigating Bolsonaro's handling of the pandemic.

• The committee recommended 12 charges for Bolsonaro, including inciting crimes, charlatanism and misuse of public funds.
• It also recommended he face charges for the genocide of indigenous people and two counts of "crime of responsibility."

What they're saying: Sen. Renan Calheiros, the report's lead author, accused Bolsonaro after the vote of being "on the side" of dictators, such as Adolf Hitler, according to Reuters.

• "The chaos of Jair Bolsonaro's government will enter history as the lowest level of human destitution," Calheiros said.

Background: Bolsonaro has repeatedly flouted restrictions meant to curb the virus' spread, despite surging cases and his country having the second-highest tally of COVID-19 deaths in the world.

• He has advocated for hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for the virus despite a lack of evidence.

By the numbers: The 11-member committee voted 7-4 in favor of the charges, per AP.

What's next: The case will now go to prosecutor-general Augusto Aras, who will decide whether the investigation should move forward. Aras is a Bolsonaro appointee and is widely viewed as someone who protects the president, per AP.

• The crimes against humanity charge will need to be pursued in the International Criminal Court.

Editor's note: This article has been updated with Calheiros' comment.