Podcast

Explaining Brazil #165: Should Brazil reengage in Haiti?

While President Jair Bolsonaro seems to have very little interest in foreign affairs, serving in peacekeeping missions is a badge of honor for the Brazilian military — which holds enormous influence with Bolsonaro

Haiti has once again been struck by calamity, after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit the country over the weekend. Deaths already number in the thousands, with a huge number of disappeared persons. After the earthquake, a cyclone hit the Caribbean nation, adding to the damage.

But even before the quake, Haiti was already marred by political and social crises. Cities are dominated by gangs, violence is on the rise, and mercenaries assassinated former President Jovenel Moïse a month ago.

One could only expect the international community to step in — as foreign forces remain major power brokers in Haiti. This is especially the case when it comes to U.S. forces and interests.

But if a new plan for aid is decided upon, what role — if any — would there be for Brazil?

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Guest:

  • Leandro Nery Alves Vargas is an Army Colonel and was part of the Brazilian Armed Forces’ Instruction Center for Peacekeeping Operations (CIOpPaz). He spoke to Brasília correspondent Janaína Camelo.
  • Kai Michael Kenkel is an associate professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro. He is a part of the university’s Institute of International Relations and serves as general coordinator for the Center on Democracy and Armed Forces. 

Background reading:

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