Good morning! We’re covering today the secrecy surrounding Jair Bolsonaro’s new state-owned company. The threat of deepfakes in 2020, when Brazil holds municipal elections. And the country’s new unicorn. (This newsletter is for platinum subscribers only. Become one now!)
The “secret” state company being created in Brazil
Last week, the Senate greenlit the creation of NAV Brasil, a state-owned company set to absorb the air traffic controlling duties currently held by the near-bankrupt Infraero. With the creation of NAV Brasil, the government plans to privatize all airports still being run by the state. While the project was put forward by former President Michel Temer, the current administration backed the idea—despite Economy Minister Paulo Guedes’ desire to do away with all of the country’s state-owned companies.
The problem? The government has been less than transparent about how NAV Brasil will operate. We requested information about NAV Brasil to several institutions, from the Economy and Defense Ministries to Infraero. Each one said they are not responsible for the new company—and don’t know who is.
Why it matters. NAV Brasil is set to inherit 2,000 employees from Infraero and could begin operations with a deficit. Infraero NAV, which currently handles air-traffic-control duties, is...