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.

Illustration image — Brazil's National Congress building in Brasilia.
©thinkstockphotos.com

The Brazilian Senate has passed a bill changing the time zone in the state ofAcre and some of the westernmost municipalities in the state of Amazonas, including the region's largest city,Eirunepé. A similar initiative wasvetoed 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 provideupdates 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 hadchanged 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, andRio 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 Oliveirawelcomed 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.”

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