Brazil Archives - Page 16 of 23 - Americas Quarterly

AQ INTERVIEW: Ciro Gomes: “Brazil Cannot Endure a Leftist Government”

Reading Time: 6 minutes

A leading candidate for president sounds off on his rivals – and friends.

Why Markets Should Be Skeptical of Jair Bolsonaro

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The leader in polls for Brazil’s October election does not have a pro-business past.

How Brazil Could Become a Regional Leader on Data Protection

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A bill passed yesterday by Brazil’s Lower House marks a major step forward in the push for privacy.

As Tensions Mount, Brazil Hedges Its Bets on Russia and the West

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While the U.S. and others expel diplomats, Brazil’s decision not to criticize Russia reveals its uncertain position in the changing global order.

The Real Cost of Brazil President Michel Temer’s Pension Reform Failure

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Dogged by scandal, Temer spent his political capital on survival, leaving little for urgently needed reform.

What Carnaval Showed Us About Brazil’s 2018 Election

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Those seeking to understand Brazil’s upcoming vote just need to look at this year’s floats.

Four Reasons for Brazil’s Credit Dysfunction – and How to Fix It

Brazil’s Central Bank raised eyebrows in December when it lowered its target interest rate to 7 percent. That’s high by global standards, and about average for other major emerging markets, but it was a milestone for Latin America’s biggest economy: 7 percent is the lowest key interest rate in Brazil’s history. That Brazil’s all-time lowest … Read more

Why I Believe Lula Will Be a Candidate in October

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Jailing a presidential frontrunner is “not the Brazilian tradition,” for better and for worse, writes AQ’s editor-in-chief.

Brazil’s Foreign Policy Isn’t Dead. It’s Just Hibernating.

The government of Michel Temer has dealt Brazilian foreign policy a body blow. Not only has the president traveled abroad less than any of his predecessors since Itamar Franco in the 1990s, but, more importantly, Brazil nowadays contributes remarkably little to dealing with urgent regional challenges. These include the crisis in Venezuela, transnational crime, China’s … Read more

Wanted: A (Sane) Brazilian President Who Can Stop the Violence

Ler em português RIO DE JANEIRO – The most vital Twitter feed here these days is called Onde Tem Tiroteio, or “Where There Is a Shootout.” One recent afternoon, in a span of just a few hours, it sent these alerts to its 36,000 followers: “Shots heard in Botafogo, near Santa Marta and Cobal. Attention … Read more

Michel Temer’s Reform Agenda in Brazil: A Rundown

As a foreign correspondent in Brazil, I have spent most of the past year talking about a handful of issues that dominate the headlines. There is an enormous appetite – both abroad and domestically – for news about the “Car Wash” corruption probe and its impact on President Michel Temer’s government. Who will go to … Read more

Rio’s Olympics Were a Raging Success! Really!

No matter what you may have read elsewhere, Rio de Janeiro’s 2016 Olympic Games were a massive success. OK, so the event was billed by former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as Brazil’s time to shine, “an opportunity without equal, increasing Brazilians’ self-esteem, consolidating recent achievements and inspiring new progress.” On that front, it’s … Read more

Brazilian Diplomacy: From First in Class to Disappearing Act

Brazilian foreign policy has always been an unpredictable affair. In the 1930s, dictator Getúlio Vargas had sympathies with Nazi fascism, even modeling labor laws after Benito Mussolini’s and fostering a militant wing vaguely resembling Adolf Hitler’s. But he ended up siding with the Allies during World War II. In the 1970s, during another authoritarian period, … Read more

Brazil Is Tired. Guess Who Benefits?

Everywhere you go in Brazil, it’s the same thing. Circles under the eyes, hushed voices. A shrug. “Fazer o que?” In the bakeries of Eastern São Paulo. In courtrooms. In President Michel Temer’s government. Outside shuttered storefronts. At City Hall. In the 50-person line for jobs at a yogurt shop. In corporate suites. The anger … Read more

Lula’s Sentencing Should Be a Sober Moment for All Brazilians

Former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s sentencing on Wednesday was long expected, but no less of a bombshell. Lula may have fallen from the pedestal of international acclaim and approval ratings north of 80 percent; a majority of Brazilians may think he broke the law, at a time when citizens are becoming more aware … Read more