This week, Brazil’s Foreign Minister is hanging on by a thread amid pressure from Congress. Data shows trade with South America dwindling year on year.
Open season on the Foreign Minister
Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araújo has never been a well-regarded member of the Jair Bolsonaro cabinet. His appointment in late 2018 was frowned upon from the get-go by the economic libertarians in the Economy Ministry and the generals who make up a sizable portion of Mr. Bolsonaro’s advisors. In recent weeks, the anti-globalist, Sinophobic minister has been singled out by Congress as a major roadblock to Brazil securing more coronavirus vaccines — due to his inability to negotiate with partner countries without a heavy dose of ideology and bravado.
- Last week, the heads of the House and Senate called for his firing after one of his top aides made a gesture associated with white supremacist groups during a Senate hearing. Over the weekend, the pressure cooker started whistling.
What they are saying. With the political establishment set on chasing him out his office, Mr. Araújo decided to put up a fight. On Twitter, he declared that Senator Kátia Abreu visited him in March to ask for a “gesture”...