Washington Luiz Cardoso Siqueira (born 31 March 1971), most commonly known as Washington Quaquá, is a Brazilian politician and sociologist member of the Workers' Party (PT).[1] He is currently the party's vice president and member of the Chamber of Deputies representing the state of Rio de Janeiro.[2][3] Quaquá had served as mayor of Maricá, Rio de Janeiro for two terms, being elected in 2008 and re-elected in 2012, succeeded by Fabiano Horta, from the same party.
Washington Quaquá | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Chamber of Deputies | |
| Assumed office 1 February 2023 | |
| Constituency | Rio de Janeiro |
| Mayor of Maricá | |
| In office 1 January 2009 – 1 January 2017 | |
| Vice Mayor |
|
| Preceded by | Ricardo Queiroz |
| Succeeded by | Fabiano Horta |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Washington Luiz Cardoso Siqueira 31 March 1971 Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Political party | PT (1989–present) |
| Occupation | Politician |
In 2014, he implemented a free bus service in the city, using royalties resources from oil exploitation. Maricá was the first Brazilian municipality with more than 100,000 inhabitants to adopt a program of free public transit.[4]
Quaquá was accused of using municipal social programs to boost his campaign. In 2013, he was convicted by the Electoral Justice for abuse of political party and conduct prohibited to public agents. However, the Regional Electoral Court of Rio de Janeiro did not revoke his mandate, choosing only to make him ineligible for 8 years.[5][6]
On 25 June 2016, during his administration, he inaugurated a statue in tribute to guerrilla leader Che Guevara, in front of the homonymous municipal hospital. The inauguration ceremony had the presence of Aleida Guevara, Che's oldest daughter.[7]