In this week’s issue: The week in review. The rise of gun ownership in Brazil. A week of much confusion for the new government.
The week in review
- Venezuela. Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ernesto Araújo met with four dissidents of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro this week. The Brazilian government has stated it will do “everything to re-establish order, democracy, and freedom in Venezuela.” The country supports a transition of power, with Juan Guaidó, the president of the opposition-led National Assembly being brought into Mr. Maduro’s place.
However, the Brazilian Constitution limits the actions Brazil can take on other countries’ affairs through its principle of “non-intervention.”
- Fissures. During an interview with magazine Época, VP Hamilton Mourão questioned the qualifications of Ernesto Araújo to head Brazil’s diplomacy. He criticized Mr. Araújo’s overzealous approach towards the U.S. and Israel. “So everyone is now fans of the Americans, no matter what? Diplomacy is about means and objectives; it is not an end in itself,” he said, adding that Mr. Araújo “has yet to show what he is here for.” The VP has held several meetings with ambassadors without the foreign minister, going against protocol.
- Trade. The European Union will impose limits on...