Good morning! The end of Mercosur? The Brazilian Supreme Court preparing for … war? The flight of foreign investors from the Brazilian market. The latest political challenge before Jair Bolsonaro. Enjoy your read! (This newsletter is for platinum subscribers only. Become one now!)
Brazil’s Supreme Court is gearing up … for war?
“Si vis pacem, para bellum” (If you want peace, prepare for war). The Brazilian Supreme Court seems to have followed the adage to the letter. In August, the court launched a procurement process for anti-riot kits—which include 15 sets of body armor. “[The armor must protect one] against strong impacts […] caused by materials such as rocks, bricks, and sharp objects.” Oh, and the gear must come with flame-resistant material, in the case of a molotov cocktail attack.
Why it matters. The move illustrates just how much polarized Brazil has become. On social media, calls for demonstrations against the court are frequent.
- Last year, Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro (who is now set to be named ambassador to the U.S.) said it would take only a private and a corporal to shut down the court. While many observers dismissed that as bravado, the court shows it is taking threats seriously.