Good morning! We’re covering Petrobras’ findings on the origin of a mysterious 100-ton oil spill on Brazil’s Northeast coast. Plus, a new bill from the Central Bank proposes to shake up the country’s foreign currency exchange laws, and there’s the latest on the government’s privatization plans for 2019. (This newsletter is for platinum subscribers only. Become one now!)
Oil spills on Brazilian coast from Venezuela, says Petrobras
Analyses carried out by Brazil’s state-owned oil company Petrobras have shown that the mysterious oil stains which have appeared on the country’s Northeast coast are likely to have come from Venezuela. Comparative analysis was carried out on samples of the spilled substance, and a confidential report was sent to the Brazilian Environmental Protection Agency (Ibama).
Why it matters. Ibama reports that oil stains have reached at least 133 separate points across Brazil’s northeastern coastline, affecting 61 municipalities and nine states. On Saturday, the state government of Sergipe declared a state of emergency.
“It is complex, we have one country on our radar which could be the origin of the oil, and we are working hard to give satisfaction to society and collaborate with the environmental issue,” said a coy Jair Bolsonaro on Monday,...