Good morning! Today, Brazil’s head of Foreign Affairs comes under fire for his relationship with Congress. Food insecurity spikes as Brazil faces a perfect storm of negative economic outlooks. With the final report approaching, the Covid inquiry centers its attention on President Bolsonaro.
Big Center tentacles reach Foreign Affairs Ministry
Throughout his six months in office, Foreign Minister Carlos França has managed some big notches on his belt, being able to ease tensions between Brazil and China, and getting Argentina to agree on a 10-percent reduction of Mercosur’s common external tariffs (TEC). But his subordinates have frowned upon him — not so much because of his work in the Foreign Affairs Ministry, but because of what he does outside of it.
- In August, Mr. França stood alongside the president when he staged a military parade outside of Congress, in an attempt to intimidate lawmakers;
- He also flanked Mr. Bolsonaro on stage during the September 7 anti-democratic protests;
- While in New York City for the UN General Assembly, Mr. França made Mr. Bolsonaro’s trademark ‘finger gun’ gesture in response to protestors.
- Diplomats also believe that their boss is overly susceptible to demands from Congress, even staking his...