Explaining Brazil

April economic data from China came worse than expected. Given the sheer importance of the Asian giant to Brazil, that is something for President Jair Bolsonaro, who seeks re-election in October, to worry about.  Read show notes. —Support the show

Former President Lula officially began the race for an unprecedented third presidential term. The challenges he will face are far greater this time around. Read show notes. — Support the show

A group of researchers from the U.S.-based Washington Brazil Office believes the threat of democratic rupture in Brazil is very real, and they want Joe Biden to react.Read show notes. — Support the show

When the holder of the highest office in the land openly challenges judicial decisions, it spells a bad omen for the endurance of democratic institutions. Read show notes. — Support the show

After over two years and more than 660,000 deaths in Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro is claiming "victory" over Covid-19 — but the government deserves no credit after its hapless pandemic response.  Read show notes. — Support the show

After years of economic debacle, President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela has adopted more pragmatic economic policies. And the results are showing.Read show notes. — Support the show

Unpopular politicians, no unifying candidate, and erratic moves have scuppered the chances of Brazil's democratic right in the 2022 election.Read show notes. — https://brazilian.report/podcast/2022/04/07/third-way-crashes-burns/Support the show

With inflation weighing down his chances of winning a second term, President Jair Bolsonaro has nixed the CEO of Petrobras. Again. Read show notes. — Support the show

It was more than a ban of the messaging app, courts wanted to draw a red line in the sand, which Telegram should not cross. But how Brazil will handle the app going forward remains murky — both legally and politically.  Read show notes. — Support the show

The ghost of inflation continues to haunt President Jair Bolsonaro, who is running out of ways to hold prices down. Read show notes. — Support the show

President Bolsonaro declared Brazil would be "neutral" in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, mentioning a crucial facet of the war for Brazilian interests: fertilizers.Read show notes. — Support the show

Officers in the state of Minas Gerais have called a strike. How this crisis unfolds will send a message to other law enforcement agencies around the country. Read show notes. —Support the show

Leading all the polls, Brazilian center-left icon Lula is seeking a blockbuster alliance with a bonafide conservative. But the move is far from a guaranteed success.Read show notes. — Support the show

Messaging app Telegram has been a thorn in the side of Brazil's electoral courts. But authorities are struggling to come up with ways to curb misinformation. Read show notes. — Support the show

A Russian invasion of Ukraine or prolonged tensions between Moscow and the West could disrupt agricultural production and push inflation even further up.  Read show notes. — Support the show

Washington has tried to get Brazil to condemn "Russia aggression" in Ukraine. But Bolsonaro has his reasons to keep a safe distance from the current geopolitical crisis.Read show notes. — Support the show

President Jair Bolsonaro's demeanor has made Brazil's South American neighbors hit the pause button on multilateral initiatives. That could have terrible consequences for the region. Read show notes. — Support the show

Federal civil servants threaten to go on strike next week, which could cause a government shutdown just months from the presidential election. Read show notes. — Support the show

As 2021 draws to a close, our newsroom is about to launch a new report laying out the main trends for Brazil’s economy, politics, and the environment in the year to come. Support the show

After much comings and goings, Bolsonaro has found a new party, in an arrangement that will help shape Brazil's political landscape for 2022 and beyond. Read show notes. — Support the show