President Jair Bolsonaro has drawn criticism after confirming he will meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on May 9. The CIA concluded in 2018 that the prince, known internationally as MBS, ordered the assassination of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
When Mr. Bolsonaro visited Mr. Bin Salman in Saudi Arabia in 2019, the president said he had “a certain affinity” with the prince and that they were “almost brothers.” Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of the president, has praised MBS during his tenure as chair of the House’s Foreign Affairs Committee.
But despite the Bolsonaros’ brashness, being on the Saudis’ good side could serve Brazil, especially as rising fuel prices continue to cause a headache for the government. Moreover, Saudi Arabia is a key client of the Brazilian weapons industry.
As one top diplomacy official told The Brazilian Report last month, “Brazil is looking after Brazilian interests.”That comment was prior to President Jair Bolsonaro’s visit to Moscow, where he met with Russian leader Vladimir Putin — just a week before Mr. Putin sent troops into Ukraine.
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