Brazilian police forces could have less oversight

congress House Speaker Arthur Lira (left) and Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco. Photo: Zeca Ribeiro/CD

Power

How Brazilian Congress changed the balance of power in Brasília

The return in force under the current government of opaque budgetary grants for lawmakers has given Congress unprecedented power — that will last beyond this legislature

3 hours ago • Amanda Audi

Power

A putschist meeting shows up Bolsonaro’s erratic foreign policy

The guest list for President Bolsonaro’s July 18 meeting with foreign diplomats lays bare the Brazilian president’s erratic approach to foreign policy, and highlights how he shuns key partners such as Argentina and China

6 days ago • Cedê Silva

debate Candidates for the São Paulo governor's office. Photo: Renato Pizzutto/Band

Power

Absences and presidents mark kickoff of debate season in Brazil

Gubernatorial candidates in ten states held debates on Sunday evening, though there were some high-profile absences. Besides regional issues, contenders focused on the Lula-Bolsonaro divide

1 week ago • Cedê Silva

Power

Electoral court opens doors to digital influencers in defense of electronic voting

Brazil's Superior Electoral Court invited a group of 30 digital influencers to its headquarters, seeking to dispel myths and lies spread about the country's voting system

1 week ago • Cedê Silva

Bolsonaro's escalation leads Brazilians to shrug at independence anniversary

Power

Brazil shrugs at independence bicentennial amid coup threats

Brazil will celebrate the 200th anniversary of its independence from Portugal on September 7. But there is little enthusiasm around the date, amid fears that it may instead be marked by a pro-Bolsonaro uprising against democratic institutions

1 week ago • Amanda Audi

Petrobras slashes gasoline prices for a third time in less than a month

Insider

Market roundup: Latin America less keen on ESG bonds

The issuance of ESG debt bonds in Latin America has seen a major fall, much bigger than the global trend.

3 days ago • Ana Ferraz

Business

Why banks are now voicing concern about Brazilian democracy

Fearful of the economic consequences of a Bolsonaro-led coup attempt, Big business has belatedly decided to speak up, signing manifestos in defense of democracy

1 week ago • Amanda Audi

Market roundup interest rates fixed income

Business

Market roundup: Higher interest rates push retail investors to fixed income

The returns on fixed income fluctuate in opposite direction to the benchmark interest rate. With rates at a six-year high, investors are fleeing from variable interest

1 week ago • Ana Ferraz

Brazil's Central Bank signals pivot on interest rates

Business

Brazil’s Central Bank sends ambiguous message on interest rate hikes

The monetary authority raised benchmark rates by a half percentage point and said it is appropriate to continue tightening "significantly into even more restrictive territory." But many policy wonks believe it might not pull the trigger

2 weeks ago • Ana Ferraz

Business

Retailers will benefit from recent stimulus measures. But it won’t last

The case of Brazilian retail behemoth Magazine Luiza illustrates the challenges facing the country’s retail sector. The government’s electorally-motivated stimulus measures will provide a boost for retailers after a post-pandemic slump, but only in the short term

2 weeks ago • Ana Ferraz

Tech

Tech roundup: Open finance gets to WhatsApp

Of the 24 million customers that interact digitally with Banco do Brasil, 10 million do so every single day, showing the need for more digital channels

8 hours ago • Fabiane Ziolla Menezes and Ana Ferraz

With solutions from AI-driven chatbots to all-in-one communication dashboards, companies like the Brazilian Nasdaq-listed Zenvia are among those surfing the so-called conversational or messaging commerce trend.

Tech

AI is overhauling Latin America’s services industry

With solutions from AI-driven chatbots to all-in-one communication dashboards, companies like the Brazilian Nasdaq-listed Zenvia are among those surfing the so-called conversational or messaging commerce trend

2 days ago • Fabiane Ziolla Menezes

Tech

Brazilian scientists add to research on superconductors

Computer simulations have allowed Brazilian researchers to reach new findings on superconductivity, an area of growing research globally

3 days ago • Fabiane Ziolla Menezes

Tech

Tech roundup: A look at the 5G debut in Brazil

5G officially launches in São Paulo, but we take a look at how companies are already using the technology around the country

1 week ago • Ana Ferraz

Tech

Tech roundup: Brazil’s video game problem

The flip side to the boom in Brazil’s video game industry is excessive usage, and high levels of associated problems, among young Brazilians

2 weeks ago • Ana Ferraz

Podcast

Explaining Brazil #210: Pro-democracy pushback

As President Jair Bolsonaro's anti-democratic antics grow in volume, banks and tycoons become vocal in their defense of democracy. A coup, after all, is bad for business

5 days ago • Gustavo Ribeiro

Podcast

Explaining Brazil #209: The state of monkeypox in Brazil

Brazil has over 1,300 confirmed cases of monkeypox. With the exception of Peru’s 275 confirmed cases, no other Latin American countries have hit the 100-case mark, making Brazil the region's monkeypox hotspot

2 weeks ago • Euan Marshall

Podcast

Explaining Brazil #208: Electoral gears start to heat up

The main candidacies in Brazil's presidential election in October have been made official by their parties. We discuss what that changes in the race

3 weeks ago • Gustavo Ribeiro

Podcast

Explaining Brazil #207: Anitta enters the presidential race

Arguably Brazil's biggest pop star of the moment, singer Anitta has endorsed former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva — and is even giving him campaign advice

4 weeks ago • Gustavo Ribeiro

Podcast

Explaining Brazil #206: Fears of political violence grow

The murder of a Workers' Party official spells a bad omen for Brazil's upcoming general election

1 month ago • Gustavo Ribeiro

massacre Mothers of slaughtered Carandiru inmates ask for justice during a 2016 event. Photo: Rovena Rosa/ABr

Society

House committee to vote on amnesty for Brazil’s worst prison massacre

The 1992 Carandiru massacre is the bloodiest episode of prison violence in Brazil’s recent history. A House committee could now vote to get the ball rolling on amnestying the perpetrators

2 weeks ago • Cedê Silva

Society

With monkeypox threat, Brazil risks repeating Covid failures

The Health Ministry claims to have ordered vaccines but The Brazilian Report understands that approval has not been sought

2 weeks ago • Cedê Silva

Society

After six months, Brazil still has not rolled out enough vaccines for children

Following an analysis of public data, The Brazilian Report understands that Brazil still doesn't have enough Covid jabs for children

3 weeks ago • Cedê Silva

Society

Anvisa greenlights CoronaVac for kids aged 3 to 5

Regulators have authorized the use of the Sinovac-developed Covid vaccine on children aged 3 to 5, but officials have already used the lion's share of available stocks

1 month ago • Cedê Silva

Society

Brazil is on the verge of a drug shortage

A recent survey shows that there is a lack of drugs and other medical supplies in Brazil’s hospitals and health centers. The government says it has already done all it can in response

1 month ago • Fabiane Ziolla Menezes

Environment

‘Poison bill’ could progress this month, environment and human rights bodies are furious

The controversial bill would drastically change pesticide regulations, making it considerably easier for new and potentially harmful products to be licensed for use

5 days ago • Constance Malleret

Petrobras refinery in Paraná state. Photo: Gel Lima/Código19/Folhapress

Environment

Petrobras fines being used to set model for environmental compensation

Over BRL 100 million in compensation paid by Petrobras for a 2001 diesel leak has taken decades to reach its intended target, but environmental agencies hope latest deal will set an example

1 week ago • Amanda Audi

Environment

The disappearing vegetation of Mato Grosso

Literally translated as 'thick vegetation,' the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso has been changed dramatically by the power of major agribusiness, and the forest cover which gave it its name is now largely gone

2 weeks ago • Euan Marshall

carbon credit market Cattle grazing during the dry season in the Caatinga biome in Uirauna, Paraíba. Photo: Cacio Murilo/Shutterstock

Environment

Caatinga region to have Brazil’s first carbon credit cooperative

Landowners in the semi-arid Northeast are keen on getting involved in the carbon market, but their properties are too small to generate credits in the traditional manner

3 weeks ago • Ana Ferraz

Environment

Bolsonaro feigns a return of the Amazon Fund

After ignoring and gutting the Amazon Fund for years, the Jair Bolsonaro administration now appears to want to revive it. Experts remain skeptical, however

3 weeks ago • Cedê Silva

Latin America

Argentina’s bizarrely convoluted multiple exchange rate system

A U.S. dollar can have more than a dozen prices, ranging from 90 to 300 Argentinian Pesos. But the system might not last much longer

1 day ago • Ignacio Portes

world cup Montevideo's Estadio Centenario hosted the 1930 World Cup final. But hosting the 2030 final might be a tall order. Photo: Shutterstock

Latin America

South American World Cup bid may be a poison chalice

Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, and Paraguay have launched a joint bid to host the World Cup in 2030. But, if they win, would they be able to afford it?

3 days ago • Lucas Berti

fishing Chinese squid trawler sailing next to Argentina. Photo: Michael Runkel/Alamy

Latin America

The scourge of illegal fishing in South America

South American coastlines are repeatedly plagued by illegal fishing vessels, often from China. Experts say regional cooperation is the key to mitigation

4 days ago • Lucas Berti

Bolivia protesters clash with police forces. Photo: Martín Alipaz/EFE

Latin America

How the census has provoked mass protests in Bolivia

Regional conflict between the ruling MAS party and the country’s easternmost provinces has often turned bloody. This time, the sides are at loggerheads over demography

1 week ago • Ignacio Portes

Latin America

Violence and arrests compound swirling crisis in Guatemala

Unpopular head of state Alejandro Giammattei was shot at during a visit to Guatemala's western highlands, while he faces criticism over arrest of prominent journalist

1 week ago • Lucas Berti

Opinion

Brazil’s 1922 election contains lessons for this year

The 1922 presidential election in Brazil, during which the Armed Forces were courted by the losing candidate, was followed by a military uprising. This year, the politicization of the military once again looms large over Brazilian politics

4 days ago • Andre Pagliarini

Opinion

Lower consumer prices give Bolsonaro a fighting chance in October

If the elections were today, former President Lula could beat Bolsonaro in a landslide. But there is still a long way to go

6 days ago • Luciano Sobral

President Jair Bolsonaro and Defense Minister Paulo Sérgio Nogueira (left), a recently-retired Army general, have hinted that they may not accept the October election results. Photo: Marcos Corrêa/PR

Opinion

Bolsonaro’s authoritarian pursuits put the West in a bind

Two months ahead of the presidential elections, Western diplomats face a dilemma as Jair Bolsonaro signals he will not recognize the result if he loses

2 weeks ago • Oliver Stuenkel

bolsonaro Pro-democracy demonstration in Salvador, Bahia. Photo: Thales Antonio/Shutterstock

Opinion

Brazil goes Back to the Future for October’s election

Without the credibility as an outsider, Jair Bolsonaro is taking lessons from Trump's 2020 defeat: speaking to his base and bashing the electoral system

2 weeks ago • Mauricio Moura

corruption scandal President Jair Bolsonaro and House Speaker Arthur Lira (right) have worked in tandem to jack up budgetary grants for lawmakers. Photo: Marcos Corrêa/PR

Opinion

Why Bolsonaro’s “secret budget” is much worse than Lula’s Mensalão

Many have equated the main corruption scandal during the Lula years to Jair Bolsonaro's so-called "secret budget." But the comparison is not accurate

4 weeks ago • Beatriz Rey

cuisine "People became desperate to discover regionalities, to discover traditions," says Tuca Mezzomo, chef at Charco, a restaurant in São Paulo. Photo: Julia Rodrigues/Charco

Tourism

Rediscovery of local ingredients earns Brazilian cuisine international recognition

As globalized gastronomy seeks local ingredients and techniques, Brazilian food is reaping the rewards with its own culinary revolution

4 weeks ago • Eric Zalcman

Tourism

War in Ukraine slowing down long-awaited recovery of Brazil’s travel industry

High oil prices, a still-unfavorable exchange rate, and inflation that bites into consumers’ discretionary spending mean the sector still faces a hard post-Covid road ahead

5 months ago • Ana Ferraz

Tourism

Brazil is an emerging gay tourism hotspot, but the government doesn’t want to know

Actions to promote gay tourism in the country have been actively ignored since Jair Bolsonaro came to power, despite Brazil having some of the world's best LGBTQ+-friendly spots

5 months ago • Amanda Audi

Marshal looking for survivors in Petrópolis

Tourism

Petrópolis disaster leaves a scar on Brazil’s historical landmarks

With hundreds dead and much physical destruction, evidence emerges of authorities’ negligence in preparing prevention and mitigation strategies

6 months ago • Renato Alves and Ana Ferraz

Tourism

Idyllic canyon region tries to keep tourism alive after deadly disaster

A deadly cliff collapse in Capitólio has left tourists scared to return, and locals afraid they will lose their revenue

6 months ago • Renato Alves

Guide to Brazil

Brazil creates a visa for foreign “digital nomads”

The country follows in the footsteps of dozens of nations around the world, offering temporary residence to people working remotely for foreign countries. Justice Ministry officials say it will attract foreign capital and boost tourism

6 months ago • Iure Pontes Vieira

october 12 People light candles to celebrate the day of Our Lady of Aparecida. Photo taken on Oct. 12, 2016. Photo: Nelson Antoine/Shutterstock

Guide to Brazil

October 12: a celebration of Brazil’s patron saint

According to legend, fishermen were inundated with fish to catch soon after finding an image of a black Virgin Mary. Since then, Our Lady of Aparecida has become Brazil's most popular and important saints

10 months ago • Euan Marshall

Rio's Christ the Redeemer. Photo: Ricardo Cohen/Shutterstock

Guide to Brazil

The story of Christ the Redeemer, 90 years old

Brazil's most popular tourist attraction, the story of how Christ the Redeemer came about is a fascinating one. This week's Rio celebrates the statue's 90th anniversary

10 months ago • Renato Alves

Guide to Brazil

The lesser-known story of the Brazilian Inquisition

After terrorizing much of Spain and Portugal, the inquisition spread to many of these countries' colonies in Africa, Asia, and the Americas — including to Brazil

11 months ago • Renato Alves

Guide to Brazil

Paulo Mendes da Rocha leaves behind incomparable legacy in Brazilian architecture

Among the most influential modernists in Brazilian history, Paulo Mendes da Rocha designed many of São Paulo's most famous tourist attractions and left a legacy of devoted followers

1 year ago • Renato Alves

👮 Police forces could have less oversight

More autonomy for police forces?

Access all of The Brazilian Report

Less expensive than a coffee!

Enjoy your 30-day limited-time offer for US$ 0.25 a week

How Brazilian Congress changed the balance of power in Brasília

The return in force under the current government of opaque budgetary grants for lawmakers has given Congress unprecedented power — that will last beyond this legislature

A putschist meeting shows up Bolsonaro’s erratic foreign policy

The guest list for President Bolsonaro’s July 18 meeting with foreign diplomats lays bare the Brazilian president’s erratic approach to foreign policy, and highlights how he shuns key partners such as Argentina and China

Absences and presidents mark kickoff of debate season in Brazil

Gubernatorial candidates in ten states held debates on Sunday evening, though there were some high-profile absences. Besides regional issues, contenders focused on the Lula-Bolsonaro divide

Electoral court opens doors to digital influencers in defense of electronic voting

Brazil's Superior Electoral Court invited a group of 30 digital influencers to its headquarters, seeking to dispel myths and lies spread about the country's voting system

Brazil shrugs at independence bicentennial amid coup threats

Brazil will celebrate the 200th anniversary of its independence from Portugal on September 7. But there is little enthusiasm around the date, amid fears that it may instead be marked by a pro-Bolsonaro uprising against democratic institutions

Petrobras slashes gasoline prices for a third time in under a month

Federal Police marshal requests arrest of his police superiors for interference

Central Bank index brings good GDP omens to Brazil

Brazilian companies can get discounts of up to 70 percent on tax debts

Brazil’s falling unemployment rate is nationwide trend

Bolsonaro once again touts ineffective drugs against Covid

Opposition senators accuse pro-Bolsonaro prosecutor of malfeasance

São Paulo moves forward with fourth vaccine dose rollout

Regulators threaten to cancel Oi Telecom sale amid stalemate on roaming prices

Rate of positive Covid tests in Brazil on par with Omicron wave

Bolsonaro to launch campaign in city where he was stabbed

How Bolsonaro fends off pressure for democratic commitment

Brazilians unite in defense of democracy

Rosa Weber to take over Supreme Court’s rotating presidency

Bolsonaro adversary to analyze president’s candidacy

Market roundup: Latin America less keen on ESG bonds

The issuance of ESG debt bonds in Latin America has seen a major fall, much bigger than the global trend.

Why banks are now voicing concern about Brazilian democracy

Fearful of the economic consequences of a Bolsonaro-led coup attempt, Big business has belatedly decided to speak up, signing manifestos in defense of democracy

Market roundup: Higher interest rates push retail investors to fixed income

The returns on fixed income fluctuate in opposite direction to the benchmark interest rate. With rates at a six-year high, investors are fleeing from variable interest

Brazil’s Central Bank sends ambiguous message on interest rate hikes

The monetary authority raised benchmark rates by a half percentage point and said it is appropriate to continue tightening "significantly into even more restrictive territory." But many policy wonks believe it might not pull the trigger

Retailers will benefit from recent stimulus measures. But it won’t last

The case of Brazilian retail behemoth Magazine Luiza illustrates the challenges facing the country’s retail sector. The government’s electorally-motivated stimulus measures will provide a boost for retailers after a post-pandemic slump, but only in the short term

Tech roundup: Open finance gets to WhatsApp

Of the 24 million customers that interact digitally with Banco do Brasil, 10 million do so every single day, showing the need for more digital channels

AI is overhauling Latin America’s services industry

With solutions from AI-driven chatbots to all-in-one communication dashboards, companies like the Brazilian Nasdaq-listed Zenvia are among those surfing the so-called conversational or messaging commerce trend

Brazilian scientists add to research on superconductors

Computer simulations have allowed Brazilian researchers to reach new findings on superconductivity, an area of growing research globally

Tech roundup: A look at the 5G debut in Brazil

5G officially launches in São Paulo, but we take a look at how companies are already using the technology around the country

Tech roundup: Brazil’s video game problem

The flip side to the boom in Brazil’s video game industry is excessive usage, and high levels of associated problems, among young Brazilians

Explaining Brazil #210: Pro-democracy pushback

As President Jair Bolsonaro's anti-democratic antics grow in volume, banks and tycoons become vocal in their defense of democracy. A coup, after all, is bad for business

Explaining Brazil #209: The state of monkeypox in Brazil

Brazil has over 1,300 confirmed cases of monkeypox. With the exception of Peru’s 275 confirmed cases, no other Latin American countries have hit the 100-case mark, making Brazil the region's monkeypox hotspot

Explaining Brazil #208: Electoral gears start to heat up

The main candidacies in Brazil's presidential election in October have been made official by their parties. We discuss what that changes in the race

Explaining Brazil #207: Anitta enters the presidential race

Arguably Brazil's biggest pop star of the moment, singer Anitta has endorsed former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva — and is even giving him campaign advice

Explaining Brazil #206: Fears of political violence grow

The murder of a Workers' Party official spells a bad omen for Brazil's upcoming general election

House committee to vote on amnesty for Brazil’s worst prison massacre

The 1992 Carandiru massacre is the bloodiest episode of prison violence in Brazil’s recent history. A House committee could now vote to get the ball rolling on amnestying the perpetrators

With monkeypox threat, Brazil risks repeating Covid failures

The Health Ministry claims to have ordered vaccines but The Brazilian Report understands that approval has not been sought

After six months, Brazil still has not rolled out enough vaccines for children

Following an analysis of public data, The Brazilian Report understands that Brazil still doesn't have enough Covid jabs for children

Anvisa greenlights CoronaVac for kids aged 3 to 5

Regulators have authorized the use of the Sinovac-developed Covid vaccine on children aged 3 to 5, but officials have already used the lion's share of available stocks

Brazil is on the verge of a drug shortage

A recent survey shows that there is a lack of drugs and other medical supplies in Brazil’s hospitals and health centers. The government says it has already done all it can in response

‘Poison bill’ could progress this month, environment and human rights bodies are furious

The controversial bill would drastically change pesticide regulations, making it considerably easier for new and potentially harmful products to be licensed for use

Petrobras fines being used to set model for environmental compensation

Over BRL 100 million in compensation paid by Petrobras for a 2001 diesel leak has taken decades to reach its intended target, but environmental agencies hope latest deal will set an example

The disappearing vegetation of Mato Grosso

Literally translated as 'thick vegetation,' the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso has been changed dramatically by the power of major agribusiness, and the forest cover which gave it its name is now largely gone

Caatinga region to have Brazil’s first carbon credit cooperative

Landowners in the semi-arid Northeast are keen on getting involved in the carbon market, but their properties are too small to generate credits in the traditional manner

Bolsonaro feigns a return of the Amazon Fund

After ignoring and gutting the Amazon Fund for years, the Jair Bolsonaro administration now appears to want to revive it. Experts remain skeptical, however