Brazil
The Role the US Played in Reversing Latin America’s ‘Pink Tide’
A mere ten years ago almost all countries in South and Central America had left or center-left governments in office. Now only a handful remain. How did this happen? We speak to CEPR’s Mark Weisbrot about how Under Secretary of State Thomas Shannon might have described to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo the US effort…
America’s Regime Change Toolbox
By Barbara Koeppel / Truthdig. Regime change here, regime change there. Officials argue for or against it and the press and media routinely report on it. There are good guys (the U.S. and its current allies) and bad ones. Although the list shifts—today North Korea is trustworthy, Canada is not—one thing is unchanged: Regime change…
First Time in Decades Brazil’s Unions and Left Unite, Demanding Lula’s Freedom
The imprisonment of former president Lula da Silva has united Brazil’s unions and left parties and social movements for a historic International Workers Day. Mike Fox reports from Curitiba, Brazil, where Lula is being held
Under Threat of Military Coup, Brazil’s Supreme Court Sends Lula to Prison
The Supreme Court’s 5-6 ruling, which requires presidential frontrunner Lula da Silva to begin serving his 12-year sentence immediately, is “one more in a series of blows against Brazilian democracy,” says Brazil Wire’s Brian Mier
The Murder of Marielle Franco and the Birth of a Movement
Massive protests against the killing of Marielle Franco blanketed Brazil in recent weeks. An anti-police violence activist from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro was killed to silence her, it appears her assassination has done just the opposite
Lula Leads in Polls as Court Upholds Conviction
Former president of Brazil Lula da Silva’s corruption conviction was upheld by an appeals court, which, according to Brazilian law, mean’s he’s not allowed to hold office for 8 years. But that hasn’t stopped Lula from campaigning for the upcoming presidential election in October. Journalist Mike Fox explains
Brazil’s Military Takeover in Rio Sparks Authoritarian Fears
Deeply unpopular Brazilian President Michel Temer issued a decree to put the military in charge of security in Rio de Janeiro instead of police, dubiously claiming the purpose is to crack down on crime. But many Brazilians worry that it’s the first stage in a return to military rule, explains journalist Brian Mier
Lula’s Prosecution in Brazil a Travesty of Justice
Brazil’s political elite is going after Lula and the Workers Party to stop them from running in this year’s presidential election, says CEPR co-director Mark Weisbrot
DOJ Lends a Hand in Prosecuting Lula
The “kangaroo court” upheld former Brazilian President Lula’s conviction without an iota of evidence, says journalist Brian Mier
Brazilian Women Protest Legislation that Could Ban Abortion
A constitutional amendment in Brazil has passed a key committee in the legislature and, if passed, would criminalize all abortions, even in cases of rape and risk to the mother’s life. Mike Fox reports from Brazil