RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Rio de Janeiro's mayor has gone on the offensive to protect his reputation and that of his city, insisting the upcoming Olympic Games are not responsible for Brazil's current economic debacle.
Speaking at a news conference Tuesday, Eduardo Paes also distinguished between the finances of the city, which he said were in great shape, and those of Rio state and Brazil's national government.
On Friday, Rio's acting governor declared a state of financial disaster. The worst recession in decades has hit Rio state particularly hard, sparking spending cuts and even delays in paying public servants.