Chapadão do Sul Mayor apologizes for offensive Northeast Brazil post

Walter Schlatter, the mayor of Chapadão do Sul in Mato Grosso do Sul, has issued a public apology after sharing an offensive image following the presidential election results. The mayor shared a montage in a messaging group for mayors that depicted the map of Brazil's Northeast region in the shape of a donkey.

In his remarks, Schlatter expressed disappointment regarding the election outcome, criticizing the region for what he described as high poverty and corruption. Following the backlash, he released a video retraction, acknowledging his mistake and stating that political differences do not justify insults. He extended his apology to the residents of the Northeast region and to Northeasterners living in Mato Grosso do Sul.

Schlatter, who was noted as a donor to Flávio Bolsonaro's campaign, stated that he deleted the post as soon as he recognized the error, though he noted that his apology does not obligate others to forgive him.