Explaining Brazil
321 episodes - English - Latest episode: 1 day ago - ★★★★★ - 121 ratingsNews from Brazil, by The Brazilian Report — an independent media outlet uniquely positioned to offer an insider’s view of current affairs in Brazil.
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Episodes
Lira's latest Lula feud
April 17, 2024 05:00 - 24 minutes - 16.6 MBHouse Speaker Arthur Lira and the Lula government's Congress liaison Alexandre Padilha are engaged in a very public disagreement. But what does that mean for the administration going forward? And for Lira's 2025 succession plans? Read show notes. Support the show
Love it or Leave it, Ep. 3: Cross-border persecution in South America
April 14, 2024 04:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MBIn the third episode of our special series about the Brazilian military dictatorship, we fly over South America, dominated by authoritarian rule in the 1960s and 1970s. We tell the story of how Brazil supported coups in the region and how it operated internationally to persecute exiles. While you're at it, we have prepared a special playlist with songs that defined the resistance against the dictatorships in Brazil and the other countries mentioned in this episode. Read show notes. Support ...
Elon Musk has beef in Brazil
April 10, 2024 13:00 - 25 minutes - 17.4 MBMusk has stated that Brazil is on the verge of becoming an Orwellian dystopia in which one man — Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes — decides what can be said online. Read show notes. Support the show
Love It or Leave It, Ep. 2: Brazilian patriots with an American flag
April 07, 2024 07:00 - 20 minutes - 14.1 MBIn the second episode of the special series about the Brazilian military dictatorship, from within to abroad, we are starting our dive into the international connections of the regime, beginning with the U.S. We tell the story of how it participated in the coup, as well as how bilateral relations were conducted from then on. Read show notes. Support the show
Election hopes dashed in Venezuela
April 03, 2024 04:00 - 28 minutes - 19.3 MBNegotiations with the U.S. and the opposition had led to hopes that Venezuela would hold clean elections in 2024. But the Maduro administration stopping adversaries from competing has put that optimism to rest. Read show notes. Support the show
Love It or Leave It, Ep. 1: The dictatorship at a glance
March 31, 2024 03:00 - 20 minutes - 13.9 MBIn 1964, in the midst of Cold War tensions, Brazil's President João Goulart was overthrown under pressure from both civil society and the Armed Forces, leading to 21 years of authoritarian rule in Brazil. In this episode, we'll explore the Brazilian military dictatorship in its social, economic, and institutional aspects. Read show notes. Support the show
How Brazil's far-right operates
March 26, 2024 21:00 - 32 minutes - 22.6 MBA new report maps and details the activities and ideologies of more than 20 far-right extremist groups operating in Brazil. Read show notes Support the show
Lula's approval red flags
March 20, 2024 14:00 - 42 minutes - 29.3 MBPresident Lula's approval ratings have fallen sharply in recent months. We asked a senior Brazil analyst whether it is already time for him to hit the panic button. Show notes. Support the show
The far-right scores big wins in Congress
March 13, 2024 14:00 - 11 minutes - 8.17 MBThe Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva government once again showed its vulnerability in Congress, failing to block the appointment of radical far-right politicians to the head of some of the most important lower house committees. Support the show
Far-right committees in Congress
March 13, 2024 14:00 - 11 minutes - 8.17 MBRadical far-right politicians were chosen to be the heads of some of the most important standing committees in Brazil's House, showing some frailties in the Lula government's position in Congress. Read show notes. Support the show
Why you should care about Brazil's Cerrado
March 06, 2024 14:00 - 30 minutes - 21.1 MBThe Cerrado has a strategic significance beyond Brazil: no other biome has such a key role to play in furthering food security while continuing to protect such rich biodiversity. Read show notes. Support the show
After rally, is Bolsonaro stronger or more in trouble?
February 28, 2024 13:00 - 20 minutes - 14.2 MBJair Bolsonaro got thousands of supporters on the streets of São Paulo. But the rally, although big in size, was no game-changer for him. Euan Marshall, Isabela Cruz, and Cedê Silva explain why. Read show notes. Support the show
Lula Israel Hitler
February 21, 2024 14:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MBBrazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva shocked many in the global community when he compared the violence of Israel's military actions in Gaza — which followed terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas in October — to the atrocities committed against the Jews by Nazi Germany. Support the show
Why Lula compared Israel to the Nazis
February 21, 2024 14:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MBBrazil's president created a diplomatic uproar for his latest comments on the Israel-Hamas conflict, but why would Lula take such a strong anti-Israel stance? Read show notes. Support the show
Is Brazilian agro in crisis?
February 07, 2024 16:00 - 12 minutes - 8.57 MBMore farmers in Mato Grosso are filing for bankruptcy; climate conditions are set to reduce crop yields this year … But is the Brazilian agro sector really facing a crisis? Read show notes. Support the show
Lula faces big fights in Congress
January 31, 2024 15:00 - 22 minutes - 15.2 MBThe 2024 congressional year has plenty of pitfalls in store for President Lula and his administration. We explain what to look out for over the coming 12 months. Read show notes. Support the show
Major developments in Marielle murder?
January 24, 2024 14:00 - 15 minutes - 10.9 MBCharged with carrying out the 2018 murder of city councilor Marielle Franco, ex-cop Ronnie Lessa has taken a plea deal. And press reports say the gunman has given up the name of the man in charge of ordering the assassination. Read show notes. Support the show
How algorithms can be racist
January 17, 2024 13:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MBFacial recognition tools, using AI-powered algorithms, have been used extensively in Brazilian law enforcement. But there is heated debate on whether these algorithms carry racist bias and propagate existing inequalities. Read show notes. Support the show
A year after Jan. 8, polarization shows signs of no abating
January 10, 2024 14:00 - 32 minutes - 22.4 MBThe January 8 riots were proof of how polarized Brazilian society was. One year later, it might be even more polarized — so two experts believe. Read show notes. Support the show
Santa brings Lula a tax reform
December 20, 2023 14:00 - 25 minutes - 17.3 MBIn the last podcast of 2023, we analyze the tax reform approved by Congress. Read show notes. Support the show
Brazil and the G20
December 13, 2023 13:00 - 25 minutes - 17.8 MBBrazil pledged to launch a global alliance against hunger during the year it will hold the G20 presidency. Read show notes. Support the show
War coming to South America?
December 06, 2023 16:00 - 12 minutes - 8.94 MBIn Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro seems hell-bent on annexing a large (and oil-rich) part of Guyana. Brazil has mobilized armored vehicles to its northern border. Read show notes. Support the show
A highly political Supreme Court pick
November 29, 2023 14:00 - 20 minutes - 13.9 MBLula's choice of Justice Minister Flávio Dino to sit on the Supreme Court has attracted criticism from both sides of the aisle. Read show notes. Support the show
Argentina's leap into the unknown
November 21, 2023 22:00 - 45 minutes - 31.5 MBWith Argentina now undergoing the transition toward a Milei government, many questions remain about what to expect from the controversial rookie administration. Read show notes. Support the show
Hezbollah in Brazil?
November 14, 2023 22:00 - 13 minutes - 9.08 MBThe Federal Police have arrested three men suspected of links to Hezbollah. They would be recruiting Brazilians to carry out extremist acts in the country. Read show notes. Support the show
Why São Paulo was left without power
November 08, 2023 14:00 - 18 minutes - 12.9 MBSão Paulo faced a massive power outage in recent days. The shortcomings of a private electricity provider rekindled debates about the privatization of public services. Read show notes. Support the show
Curb your tax reform enthusiasm
November 01, 2023 14:00 - 20 minutes - 14.3 MBThe Senate finally has a draft tax reform, but it includes several changes to the version approved by the House in July and creates even more exceptions to benefit specific sectors. Show notes. Support the show
The Milei risk for Brazil
October 25, 2023 15:00 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MBIf Javier Milei were to win the presidential race in Argentina, his government is bound to be anything but business as usual for Brazil. Marina Pera, the Southern Cone political risk analyst at Control Risks, explains why. Show notes. Support the show
The end of the January 8 hearings
October 18, 2023 15:00 - 31 minutes - 21.8 MBCongress decided to investigate the January 8 riots in Brasília. The investigation promised to identify those who ransacked government buildings, as well as the people who incited and financed these actions — but it is ending in a damp squib. Show notes. Support the show
Brazil's approach to Israel-Palestine conflict
October 11, 2023 13:00 - 24 minutes - 17.2 MBThe latest intensification of violence between Israel and Palestine poses a threat to Brazil' diplomats, as the country is temporarily heading the UN Security Council. We look at Brazil's Middle East track record Support the show
Brazil's approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict
October 11, 2023 13:00 - 24 minutes - 17.2 MBThe latest intensification of violence between Israel and Palestine poses a threat to Brazil's diplomats, as the country is temporarily heading the UN Security Council. We look at Brazil's Middle East track record. Show notes. Support the show
Milei knocking on the neighbor's door
October 04, 2023 15:00 - 38 minutes - 26.1 MBAfter the primary win of Javier Milei, Argentina's final presidential elections are coming into view — and the madcap libertarian economist is still the clear favorite. We look at what to expect from the vote over the border in Argentina. Show notes. Support the show
Amazon faces risk of worst-ever drought
September 27, 2023 15:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MBIn the largest Amazon state, officials expect all but one municipality to declare a full state of emergency in the coming weeks. With rivers drying up, the region risks ending up isolated. Show notes. Support the show
Lula's return to the UN General Assembly
September 20, 2023 11:00 - 27 minutes - 18.9 MBWhile Jair Bolsonaro's UN speeches were aimed at a domestic audience, Lula brought his foreign policy agenda to the stage. Show notes. Support the show
Pinochet's Brazil
September 13, 2023 14:00 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MBOn September 11, Chile remembered the 50-year anniversary of the military coup that ushered in nearly three decades of authoritarian rule under Gen. Pinochet. We look at the role of Brazilian agents in helping unseat the socialist President Salvador Allende. Show notes. Support the show
Bolsonaristas say "stay at home"
September 06, 2023 15:00 - 15 minutes - 10.5 MBBolsonaro's supporters are calling for their own #StayAtHome campaign for this year's September 7 Independence Day celebrations. Euan Marshall and Amanda Audi explain how the holiday took on new significance in recent years and the motives behind the Bolsonarista boycott. Show notes. Support the show
Erasing indigenous land claims
August 30, 2023 12:00 - 20 minutes - 14.4 MBBrazil's Supreme Court and Congress are separately debating a legal argument that could render indigenous land claims completely unfeasible. Editor Euan Marshall speaks to Adriana Ramos from NGO Socioambiental to find out what's at stake. Show notes. Support the show
Time to add more BRICS?
August 23, 2023 13:00 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MBThis week's BRICS summit in Johannesburg could see the bloc expand for the first time since South Africa's membership in 2010. How might that affect Brazil's role? How powerful might the BRICS become? Euan Marshall and Cedê Silva break down the latest. Show notes. Support the show
Amazon oil drilling overlooks mangroves
August 16, 2023 15:00 - 22 minutes - 15.7 MBThe government and Petrobras want to drill near the Amazon estuary. But an unprecedented discovery shows the area is still largely unstudied. Show notes. Support the show
Brazilian separatism?
August 09, 2023 15:00 - 27 minutes - 18.6 MBSeparatist tensions in Brazil more often than not come from fringe and ridiculed groups, but comments by a prominent right-wing politician have brought this discussion back to the fore, albeit in sensational terms. Show notes. Support the show
Will justice be served for Mariana?
August 02, 2023 12:00 - 18 minutes - 12.7 MBAlmost eight years ago, Brazil suffered its biggest environmental disaster in history, when the Fundão dam in Mariana burst and spilled an untold torrent of toxic sludge into the Rio Doce. Now, a gigantic class-action suit in England seeks proper reparations. Show notes. Support the show
Bonus Episode: Brazil's shot at World Cup glory
July 29, 2023 12:00 - 26 minutes - 18.2 MBWe speak with Ivi Casagrande, head of performance at Brazil's national women's football team, in an exclusive interview straight from Australia, where she discusses Brazil's World Cup chances, Marta's last dance, and the history of the women's game in Brazil. Show notes. Support the show
A city swallowed by the ground
July 26, 2023 11:00 - 17 minutes - 11.9 MBPetrochemical giant Braskem announced that it has reached a settlement with the city of Maceió to pay compensation for the destruction of entire neighborhoods, caused by abusive salt mining by the company. Show notes. Support the show
Threads of concern?
July 19, 2023 11:00 - 24 minutes - 17.2 MBMeta's new social media Threads is already one of Brazil's most downloaded apps. But privacy experts in Brazil are concerned that the new network is less than compliant with the country's data protection laws. Show notes. Support the show
Better equipped to fight corruption?
July 12, 2023 12:00 - 29 minutes - 20.2 MBCorruption has become less of a top-of-mind issue in Brazil, but a study from AS/COA and Control Risks suggests the country's anti-corruption tools are stronger with Jair Bolsonaro out of office. Show notes. Support the show
Bolsonaro banned for good?
July 05, 2023 13:00 - 20 minutes - 13.9 MBThe Superior Electoral Court banned Jair Bolsonaro from electoral politics for eight years. But other cases could extend that period. Show notes. Support the show
The Central Bank's Jekyll & Hyde moment
June 28, 2023 13:00 - 40 minutes - 28 MBLess than a week after issuing a hawkish statement on its latest policy decision, the Central Bank changed its tone, and made markets anticipate imminent interest rate cuts. Show notes. Support the show
Do-or-die moment for Mercosur and the EU?
June 21, 2023 14:00 - 26 minutes - 18.3 MBThe EU and Mercosur reached an agreement on a trade deal back in 2019. But since then, nothing much has happened — and the window of opportunity may be closing. Show notes. Support the show
Do or die moment for Mercosur and the EU?
June 21, 2023 14:00 - 26 minutes - 18.3 MBThe EU and Mercosur reached an agreement on a trade deal back in 2019. But since then, nothing much has happened — and the window of opportunity may be closing. Show notes. Support the show
How YouTube helped pollute Brazil's public discourse
June 14, 2023 13:00 - 32 minutes - 22.3 MBYouTube’s recommendation algorithm might have been a key weapon for the far-right to firehose public discourse with disinformation. Read show notes. Support the show