Santo André City Council votes on support for threatened cartoonist

The Santo André City Council is voting on a motion of support for political cartoonist Gilmar Machado Barbosa, following reports of death threats and intimidation on social media. The attacks, which have occurred since July, include offensive messages and a digital manipulation depicting the artist with a bullet to his head.

Councilman Tiago Nogueira proposed the motion, stating that such hostility is “incompatible with a democratic country” and represents an escalation of violence against professionals performing their duties. Barbosa, known as the “Cartunista das Cavernas,” noted that while his work remains critical regardless of the political spectrum, attacks related to his illustrations have increased significantly since the 2018 elections.

The São Paulo Journalists Union (SJSP) has repudiated the threats, asserting that violence against communication professionals compromises public debate by restricting the circulation of ideas. The union has called for the accountability of those responsible and for authorities to ensure the cartoonist's safety.