Today, the Brazilian government criticized in Congress for hosting Mike Pompeo just ahead of the UN General Assembly. The massive drop in income caused by the pandemic. And the dog-eat-dog brokerage market just got more competitive.
Bolsonaro takes heat in Congress for Pompeo visit
The Brazilian Senate’s return to in-person sittings after a six-month hiatus was an eventful one. The Foreign Affairs Committee confirmed the appointments of 32 people to diplomatic posts abroad — and also approved the formal invitation to Foreign Minister Ernesto Araújo to come before the committee and provide clarifications about the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit to the Venezuelan border last Thursday.
Why it matters. Such moves are acts of defiance by lawmakers, and show the fragility of President Jair Bolsonaro’s support base in Congress. Despite his recent spending of political capital to form an inchoate coalition, he still lacks a tight grip on the legislature.
- While Mr. Araújo is not obliged to accept the invitation to speak before the Foreign Affairs Committee, he said he will go to Congress on Thursday, fearing problems for the government were he to refuse.
What they are saying. Mr. Pompeo’s visit was criticized by all sides of...