Brazil signed the United Nations’ Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) in 2013, aiming at preventing the sale of conventional weapons to conflict zones — but Congress only ratified it five years later. The agreement’s tortuous path toward final approval included multiple attempts by the Bolsonaro family to stall and nix its ratification. During his time as a backbencher in Congress, Jair Bolsonaro said Brazil would be a “sucker” to join the ATT.
While he was unsuccessful, Mr. Bolsonaro’s anti-ATT lobbying was a sign of what was to come for Brazil’s defense policy, once he was installed as president.
Beyond the rhetoric, the...
