Cartoons

Brazil All Quiet on the Western Front

After a whirlwind start to the year that had us wondering if Brazil was auditioning for a Hollywood blockbuster, things seem to have settled down in Latin America’s largest country in March. Sure, the Bolsonaro family jewelry scandal is still making headlines, but otherwise it’s been crickets. Are we so used to chaos that we need it like a caffeine fix?

January was a veritable frenzy of Brazil news, centered around the violent Brasília riot on January 8. Compared to that, March has been a yawnfest.

Of course, this lull in crisis and tragedy could end at any moment. The new administration is walking on eggshells, trying to please everyone without making any missteps. No one really knows how much support the Lula government has in Congress. It could be a lot, it could be not enough to approve the major reforms he wants to carry out.

And let’s not forget the right-wing faithful who are fleeing the country like rats from a sinking ship. They’re looking for a new home where they can spread their poisonous ideology without being met with eye rolls and exasperated sighs. Neighboring Paraguay seems to be the choice.

But for now, it’s all quiet on the western front. The tension is palpable, like when your in-laws are visiting and you’re trying to avoid awkward conversations. The new administration is playing a game of political chess, trying to make all the right moves to win over the financial markets. Will they succeed or will it all come crashing down? Only time will tell, but let’s hope it’s not the latter.

Jika and Victor dos Santos

‘Jika’ is a French freelance illustrator and a photographer. She has a wide range of influences and is able to go from minimalist to highly sophisticated sci-fi-style cartoons. Being something of a global citizen, hopping from city to city on a regular business, her source of inspiration is limitless. She's currently working on a comic book project.