The mayor and vice-mayor of Macapá, along with the city's health secretary, were removed from their positions as part of a federal investigation into alleged fraud in health contracts.
The mayor of Macapá, Dr. Furlan (PSD), the vice-mayor Mário Neto, and health secretary Erica Aymoré have been suspended from their positions by a decision of the Supreme Court of Brazil (STF) following the Federal Police's initiation of the second phase of Operation Paroxismo. This operation is focused on investigating alleged fraudulent practices in health-related bidding processes that involve multi-million-dollar contracts related to the construction of the Municipal General Hospital of Macapá. The news comes amid increasing scrutiny over public spending, particularly in health services.
The operation began on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, when the Federal Police executed 13 search and seizure warrants across several locations, including Macapá, Belém (PA), and Natal (RN). The suspension of the mayor, vice-mayor, and health secretary has been mandated for 60 days by Minister Flávio Dino as part of the investigation. This reflects the seriousness of the allegations, which include bid manipulation, resource diversion, and money laundering. Such measures indicate intense judicial and police scrutiny over the management of public health resources.
The targeted individuals are under investigation for their involvement in a network that allegedly directed public bids, misappropriated funds, and laundered money. The contracts in question are directly associated with the ongoing construction projects at the Municipal General Hospital of Macapá, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in public procurement practices. This case highlights systemic issues within local government operations and may lead to significant political repercussions depending on the outcome of the investigations.
