Brazil: Acre and parts of Amazonas switch time zones
Published 9-Oct-2013. Changed 31-Oct-2013
The Brazilian Senate recently passed a bill changing the time zone in the state of Acre and some of the westernmost municipalities in the state of Amazonas. The country's President, Dilma Rousseff, encated the law on October 30, 2013.
Brazil's National Congress building in Brasilia.
©thinkstockphotos.com
The Brazilian Senate has passed a bill changing the time zone in the state of Acre and some of the westernmost municipalities in the state of Amazonas, including the region's largest city, Eirunepé. A similar initiative was vetoed by Brazil's President, Dilma Rousseff, in 2012 after the bill had already been passed by the parliament.
It is still possible that the same will happen this year. However, according to media commentaries, if the President stops the current bill, the veto is likely to affect only the Amazonas municipalities. In that case, Acre would still move to a different time zone.
DST in Brazil begins on October 20, 2013
The time zone switch in detail
If and when the changes take effect, clocks in the affected areas will be turned back 1 hour. The local time there will be 2 hours behind Brazil's capital, Brasilia, when daylight saving time (DST) is not in force, and 5 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Acre and Amazonas currently observe Amazonas Time (AMT), which is 4 hours behind UTC. Neither state observes DST.
It is not yet known when the change will take effect. timeanddate.com will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Back to “correct” time zone
Acre and Amazonas represent Brazil's westernmost area and border to Peru and Bolivia. In an unpopular decision, the government had changed the time zone there in 2008. This was done in order to strengthen the relationship between some of the country's most remote municipalities and the economically more developed east, including cities such as the capital Brasilia, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro.
Acre's 2008 switch in more detail
Many inhabitants of the affected areas opposed the 2008 change because it meant less daylight in the mornings. In a referendum in 2010, a majority of 56.8% voted for the return of the original time zone. Senator Sérgio Oliveira welcomed the decision: “I cannot hide that I am pleased.” Referring to the 2010 referendum, he added, “this vote is in line with the decision taken by the population.”