A story published recently by The Washington Post asks why the U.S. flag has become a symbol among supporters of Brazil’s far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. The reporters then identify what they call a paradox at the heart of the Bolsonarista movement: how is it possible that the group has adopted the flag of the world’s “oldest democracy” to support authoritarian practices?
As economist Filipe Campante wrote on Twitter, the paradox is non-existent. The U.S. has a long history of supporting authoritarian regimes in Latin America, going as far as intervening to ensure their existence in several countries. And the U.S.’s own democratic turmoil provides additional inspiration for Brazil’s autocratic hopefuls.
U.S. interference in Latin America
U.S. support for authoritarian regimes in the region has its roots in the Cold War. To counter the Soviet Union and contain the spread of communism, U.S. foreign policy tasked itself with promoting...
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