WBO Weekly Newsletter
The Washington Brazil Office (WBO) publishes a newsletter every Friday with the main news from Brazil, written in an explanatory and analytical way, and including analyzes written by both associated researchers and guest essayists. There are two versions of the publication – one in Portuguese and the other in English – that reach weekly via email almost 3,000 subscribers, including congressional aides, U.S. and Brazilian government officials, academics, journalists and leaders of civil society organizations. To receive the WBO newsletter in English simply enter your email address in the field below. To receive Portuguese content, enter your email in the form on the Portuguese version of the website.
The 2024 editions:
APRIL:
Edition 114
April 426, 2024
Highlights: Lula's change in stance on Venezuela, adjustments to the government's fiscal policy, demands on Portugal for historical reparations. Guest columnist: James N. Green, on 200 years of Brazil-USA relations.
Issue 113
April 19, 2024
Highlights: Lula's trip to Colombia, Brazil's position in the conflict between Iran and Israel, pressure from Republicans on the Brazilian judicial system. Guest columnist: Neno Grabers, on Brazil's role in Haiti's challenges.
Issue 112
April 12, 2024
Highlights: the disputes between Elon Musk, Lula and Alexandre de Moraes, the Sergio Moro trial, the PCC's business in São Paulo and the developments in the Marielle case. Guest columnist: Guilherme Cézar Coelho, on censorship of artistic freedom.
Issue 111
April 5, 2024
Highlights: the echoes of the 60th anniversary of the 64 coup, Lula's performance in the economy, Sergio Moro's trial and the end of the Army as a 'moderating power'. Guest columnist: Fabio de Sá e Silva on Lula's silence on the 60th anniversary of the coup.
MARS:
Edition 110
March 29, 2024
Highlights: advances in the Marielle Franco case, Lula's change of tone on Venezuela, Macron's visit to Brazil, Bolsonaro's visit to the Hungarian Embassy and the 60th anniversary of the 1964 coup. Guest columnist: Rafael R. Ioris about the lost opportunities to make amends for the 21 years of the Brazilian dictatorship (1964-1985).
Issue 109
March 22, 2024
Highlights: news of Marielle Franco's case, the 60th anniversary of the 1964 coup, Lula's popularity and unpopularity, the good economic numbers. Guest columnist: Jefferson Nascimento, on two recent decisions of the Inter-American Court against Brazil.
Issue 108
March 15, 2024
Highlights: Lula's reluctance about marking the 60th anniversary of the coup, the Brazilian extreme right's trip to Washington, Brazil's convictions in the Inter-American Court and the disputes over Petrobras dividends. Guest columnist: Nana Oliveira, on allegations of torture in the Brazilian prison system.
Issue 107
March 8, 2024
Highlights: Lula's comments regarding the elections in Venezuela, the government's popularity and the investigations against those involved in the coup attempt. Guest columnist: Elaine Gomes, on the space and role of black women in Brazilian diplomacy.
Edition 106
March 1, 2024
Highlights: Bolsonaro's rally on Paulista Avenue, Lula's dialogue with Caribbean countries, the debate about genocide in Gaza and the reaction of Brazilian movements to the president's speech about the 1964 coup. Guest speaker: Nina Santos, on integrity of information.
FEBRUARY:
Edition 105
February 23, 2024
Highlights: the G20 summit in Brazil and Lula's meetings with Blinken and Lavrov, the progress of investigations against Bolsonaro, the economy's good numbers. Guest columnist: Dawisson Belém Lopes, on the disputes between China and the USA and the consequences for Latin America.
Edition 104
February 16, 2024
Highlights: Lula's trip to Cairo and Ethiopia, the continuation of investigations against Bolsonaro, the chances of reviewing the Amnesty Law and the political messages of samba schools during Carnival. Guest columnist: Ricardo Seitenfus, on the border disputes between Venezuela and Guyana.
Edition 103
February 9, 2024
Highlights: everything about the Tempus Veritatis operation launched against civilian and military members of the Bolsonaro government who plotted a coup d'état in the 2022 elections. Guest columnist: Paulo Lugon Arante on the prospects for an international Human Rights agenda for Brazil in 2024.
Edition 102
February 22, 2024
Highlights: the “parallel ABIN” scandal, the change of command at the Ministry of Justice, political movements targeting São Paulo city hall, data on interest, unemployment and deficit in public accounts. Guest columnist: Paulo Correa, on the challenges of the Lula government in combating inequality.
JANUARY:
Edition 101
January 26, 2024
Highlights: Federal Police investigations into spying on Bolsonaro's political opponents, Lula's plans to revive the automotive industry, the new electoral fund. Guest columnists: André Singer and Fernando Rugitsky, on the challenges of Lula's third term.
Edition 100
January 19, 2024
Highlights: Brazil's role in Guatemala's electoral impasse, the political agreements for the local election in São Paulo, the numbers on economic inequality in the country, and the disputes between the Lula government and evangelical parliamentarians. Guest columnists: James N. Green and Paulo Abrão, about the 100th edition of the WBO newsletter.
Edition 99
January 12, 2024
Highlights: Lewandowski Minister of Justice and Dino in the Supreme Court, Brazil's support for the case against Israel in The Hague, the arrangements for municipal elections, inflation on target, and the fear of dengue fever. Guest columnist: Juliana de Moraes, on the climate crisis, the socio-environmental potential in Brazil and the role of the WBO.
The 2023 editions:
DECEMBER:
Edition 98
December 22, 2023
Highlights: tax reform, Dino's appointment to the Supreme Court, the hacking of the first lady's account on a social network, figures on hunger and illiteracy, and poll numbers on the approval of the Lula government. Guest columnist: Sami Seternberg, on WBO's support for the work of Brazilian Black movement organizations.
Edition 97
December 15, 2023
Highlights: Dino's hearing in the Senate, the dispute between Venezuela and Guyana, the overturning of the vetoes on the Marco Temporal, the favorable opinion on Moro's impeachment. Guest columnist: James N. Green, on the request for declassification of American documents about the 64 coup in Brazil.
Edition 96
December 8, 2023
Highlights: Venezuela's claims over the territory of Guyana, the risks to the Mercosur-European Union agreement, Brazil's possible accession to OPEC+, COP28 and the sinking of Maceió. Guest columnist: Rosana Heringer, on quota policies in the Brazilian educational system.
Edition 95
December 1, 2023
Highlights: Lula's appointments to the Supreme Court and the Attorney General's Office, Brazil's participation in COP 28, the accusations against André Janones. Guest columnist: Carolina Ricardo, on the challenges of public security in Brazil.
NOVEMBER:
Edition 94
November 24, 2023
Highlights: the conflicts between the Senate and the Federal Supreme Court, the death of a Bolsonaro supporter in jail, Lula's assessment and projections for the economy. Guest columnist: Janes Jorge, on the preservation of the Amazon.
Edition 93
November 17, 2023
Highlights: The debates on the fiscal target, the controversial visit by the wife of a criminal faction leader to the Minister of Justice, the record heat wave, the visit of Bolsonaro supporters to American congressmen. Guest columnist: Marcelo Paixão, on the weight of racial inequality in Brazil's economic development.
Edition 92
November 10, 2023
Highlights: the Federal Police's action against alleged members of Hezbollah in Brazil, the new conviction of Bolsonaro and Braga Netto, the government's disagreements over the fiscal target. Guest columnist: Benoni Belli, on Brazil's role in the OAS.
Edition 91
November 3, 2023
Highlights: Lula and Haddad's positions on the deficit in public accounts, Bolsonaro's new conviction in the Electoral Court and the conviction of General Braga Netto. External columnist: Rafael R. Ioris, on parallels between Trump and Bolsonaro.
SEPTEMBER:
Edition 90
October 27, 2023
Highlights: militia attacks in Rio de Janeiro, ABIN's spying software, negotiations with Centrão and the positive assessment of the Lula government. Guest columnist: Andrew Janusz, on black underrepresentation in Brazilian legislatures.
Edition 89
October 19, 2023
Highlights: Brazil's role in the negotiations in Gaza, the final report of the Commission that investigated the frustrated coup of January 8, the historic drought in the Amazon. Guest columnist: Clara Mota Alves, on the female presence in the judiciary.
Edition 87
October 6, 2023
Highlights: Tensions between Congress and the Supreme Court, the appointment of a replacement for minister Rosa Weber, the execution of the brother of congresswoman Sâmia Bomfim in Rio de Janeiro and three other people for the same crime. Guest columnist: Stanley Gacek, on the labor agreement signed between Lula and Biden.
Edition 86
September 28, 2023
Highlights: Lula's rapprochement with the Central Bank, tensions between Congress and the Supreme Court, the change in the presidency of the country's highest court, the case against Bolsonaro for inciting rape and Heleno's testimony about January 8 attempted coup. Guest columnist: Daniel Carvalho de Souza, about the visit of the IACHR rapporteur to Brazil.
Edition 85
September 22, 2023
Highlights: the Supreme Court's decision against the 'timeframe', the revelations of Mauro Cid's plea bargain, the mini-electoral reform and Amnesty PEC to the parties. Guest columnists: Feliciano de Sá Guimarães and Beatriz Pfeizer on Brazil's leadership in the G20.
Edition 84
September 15, 2023
Highlights: The first conviction of someone involved in the frustrated January 8 coup, the twists and turns in Lava Jato, Lula and Dino's criticism of the International Criminal Court. Guest columnist: Maria Sylvia Oliveira, on the nomination of a Black woman to the STF.
Edition 83
September 8, 2023
Highlights: Lula's ministerial reform, the annulment of Odebrecht's evidence in Operation Lava Jato, the first September 7th without Bolsonaro, the deaths caused by rain in southern Brazil. Guest columnist: Mila Burns, on the 50th anniversary of the coup in Chile.
Edition 82
September 1st, 2023
Highlights: the resumption of the "time frame" trial, the testimony of Bolsonaro and seven others involved in the jewelry scandal, the possibility of Cid's denunciation, GDias' testimony to the CPI on the coup, the sanction of the new fiscal framework. Guest writer: Rebecca Tavares, on violence against women in Brazil.
AUGUST:
Edition 81
August 25, 2023
Highlights: the expansion of the BRICS, upholding a decision that Dilma was not involved in administrative malfeasance related to impeachment charges, the end of the "budgetary spending cap", the controversy over oil prospecting at the mouth of the Amazon, the search warrants against one of Bolsonaro's sons. Guest writer: Anthony Pereira, on Brazil's intermediary position between China and the US.
Edition 80
August 18, 2023
Highlights: the testimony of hacker Walter Delgatti to the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry, investigations into the embezzlement of jewels during the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro, the blackout in 25 Brazilian states and the Federal District. Guest columnist: Vinícius Marques de Carvalho on the importance of transparency in the handling of public information for democracy.
Edition 79
August 11, 2023
Highlights: the Amazon Summit in Belém, the arrest of Silvinei Vasques and the testimony of Anderson Torres – two pivotal players in the frustrated coup d'état of January 8. Guest columnist: Augusto Jobim do Amaral, on the paths of the Left in Lula's third term.
Edition 78
August 4, 2023
Highlights: the deaths caused by the police in Baixada Santista, the action of a hacker in the heart of the Bolsonaro government, the good numbers of the economy and the new revelations of the CPMI of 8/1. Guest writer: Patrícia Audi on the work of Renova BR.
JULY:
Edition 77
July 28, 2023
Highlights: the new revelations of the Marielle Franco case, the toughening package against anti-democratic acts, the decrees that once again restrict the carrying and possession of weapons in Brazil. Guest columnist: Rafael R. Ioris, on the Lula government's foreign policy.
Edition 76
July 21, 2023
Highlights: offenses against Alexandre de Moraes' family at the Rome airport, Federal Police search those involved in the case and movements by Black movements in relation to JAPER. Guest writers: Rubia Valente and Rosana Heringer, on the access and permanence of blacks in the Brazilian educational system.
Edition 75
July 14, 2023
Highlights: good economic data and Lula's criticism of the Central Bank, the growth of food insecurity in Brazil, Mauro Cid's testimony in Congress, and Bolsonaro's fourth testimony to the Federal Police. Guest columnist: Alvaro Lima on Brazilian laws dealing with the right to dual citizenship.
Edition 74
July 7, 2023
Highlights: the first round of voting on the tax reform in the Chamber of Deputies, pressure from the Centrão for ministries in the Lula administration, the Mercosur summit, and requests for the US to declassify files related to the Brazilian dictatorship. Guest columnist: Michel Gherman on hate crimes associated with the extreme Bolsonarist right in Brazil.
JUNE:
Edition 73
June 30, 2023
Highlights: the vote on Bolsonaro’s ineligibility in the Electoral Court, the meeting of the Foro de São Paulo in Brasília, the Record Harvest Plan and the low population growth in Brazil. Guest writer: David Nemer, on the tenth anniversary of the June 2013 demonstrations.
Edition 72
June 23, 2023
Highlights: the beginning of Bolsonaro's trial in the Electoral Justice system, the confirmation of Zanin for the open vacancy on the Supreme Court, the Congressional Investigation on the coup and the MST. Guest writer: Graziella Testa, on relations between the executive and the legislative in Brazil.
Edition 71
June 16, 2023
Highlights: the proximity of the start of Bolsonaro's trial, the commission of inquiry into the coup, the fraud at Lojas Americanas, Lula's difficulties in Congress. Guest writers: Túlio S H Ferreira, Davi Figueiredo Gonçalves Vilar, Maria Eduarda Costa Marques de Moraesk e Silva and Samuel Ângelus Henrique Farias on press coverage of the first hundred days of Lula’s government.
Edition 70
June 9, 2023
Highlights: the future of decisions on Indigenous lands under debate in Congress and the Supreme Court, the confirmation of Dallagnol’s impeachment, the acquittal of Lira, the risk of Bolsonaro’s ineligibility. Guest writer: Ana Barreto on the UN Permanent Forum of Afro-descendants.
Edition 69
June 2, 2023
Highlights: tensions between Lula and Lira in Congress, approval of the timeframe, Collor's prison sentence, Zanin's appointment to the Supreme Court. Guest writer: Michelle Hallack, on the holding of COP 30 in Belém do Pará and the opportunities to advance the climate agenda.
MAY:
Edition 68
May 26, 2023
Highlights: the tensions between the PT and Marina Silva about the environmental agenda, the new fiscal framework, the changes in Lava Jato (Car Wash) operation, the Lula-Zelenski disagreement at the G7. Guest writer: Silvio Eduardo Alvarez Candido on illegal economic exploitation chains in the Amazon
Edition 67
May 16, 2023
Highlights: The removal of the congressman Deltan Dallagnol, once a prominent prosecutor from Operation Car Wash, the parliamentary commission created to investigate the landless movement MST, the gasoline price drop and the changes on the Petrobras pricing policy as a whole. Guest writer: Ana Claudia Cortez, on the role of the religious institutions running therapeutic communities in Brazil.
Edition 66
May 12, 2023
Highlights: the Lula government's difficulties in winning support in Congress, the Fake News Law, the PT's fights with the Central Bank, Haddad's trip to the G7 and Amorim to Kiev. Guest writer: Rafael R. Ioris, on the disputes between China and USA-Europe, and the repercussions for Brazil.
Edition 65
May 5, 2023
Highlights: the Federal Police operation against Bolsonaro and his advisors involved in the falsification of COVID-19 vaccination certificates, the case's connections with the murder of Rio city councilor Marielle Franco. Guest writer: Pablo Ibañez on China's relations with Latin America.
MARCH:
Edition 64
April 28, 2023
Highlights: the creation of the CPIs of 8/1 and the MST, Bolsonaro's testimony to the Federal Police, Lula's international role in his visits to Portugal and Spain. Guest columnist: Marcio Pochmann, on the challenges of Brazilian trade unionism.
Edition 63
April 21, 2023
Highlights: the resignation of the head of Lula's Institutional Security Office, new images of the January 8 invasion , the debate about a Congressional Commission to investigate the coup, Lavrov's visit to Brasília, Moro's denunciation of slander. Guest writer: Pamella Liz, on the challenges of rebuilding the Unified Health System (SUS) after four years of the Bolsonaro government.
Edition 62
April 14, 2023
Highlights: the testimonies of the military involved in the January 8 attacks in Brasília, the ineligibility of Bolsonaro to run for office, the retirement of Minister Lewandowski, and the 100 days of Lula's government. Guest writer: David Nemer on the challenges of regulating social networks in Brazil.
Edition 61
April 7, 2023
Highlights: Bolsonaro's testimony to the Federal Police about the jewelry case, Lula's assessment of his 100 days in office, the dialogue between Putin and Celso Amorim, and the education reform. Guest writer: Graf researchers, on the links between the US arms industry and the Brazilian extreme right.
MARCH:
Edition 60
March 31, 2023
Highlights: Bolsonaro's return to Brazil and the subpoena for him to testify to the police, Tacla Duran's accusations against Sergio Moro, the veto of the party affiliation of active-duty military personnel. Guest writer: Katia Brembatti, on freedom of the press in Brazil.
Edition 59
March 24, 2023
Highlights: the action of the Federal Police against a plan by the criminal organization PCC to kidnap and kill government authorities, the involvement of the name of Sérgio Moro as one of the targets, and how the Brazilian extreme right tries to politicize the case against Lula and the PT. Guest writer: Sofia Zanforlin, on the situation of Venezuelan immigrants in Roraima.
Edition 58
March 17, 2023
Highlights: Lula's attempt to centralize his government's announcements, Intelligence Service's illegal spying, confrontations with the Navyt, Bolsonaro's jewels and his possible return to Brazil. Invited essayist: Álvaro de Azevedo Gonzaga Kaiowá, about government policies toward the indigenous population.
Edition 57
March 10, 2003
Highlights: Bolsonaro's ethical and customs problems with Saudi jewelry and the measures announced by Lula on Women's Day. Guest writer: Stanley Gacek, on the challenges of the trade union movement in the Lula government.
FEBRUARY:
Edition 56
March 4, 2023
Highlights: Petrobras' record profit, adjustments in fuel prices, the unemployment rate in Brazil, the articulations for the creation of a parliamentary commission of investigation of the events surrounding January 8th. Guest writer: Vanessa Dolce de Faria, on “March 8, International Women's Day”
Edition 55
February 24, 2023
Highlights: The deaths caused by rains and landslides on the north coast of São Paulo, the joint action of Lula and Tarcísio to face the tragedy during a troubled Carnival week in Brazil. Guest writer: João Fernando Finazzi, on “The international impasse of the Haitian crisis”
Edition 54
February 17, 2023
Highlights: Announcements of increases in research grants and in the minimum wage; changes in the income tax table, the difficulty of judging those involved in the coup attempt, and the announcement of Bolsonaro's return to Brazil. Guest writer: Rafael R. Ioris, on “The Lula-Biden Relationship: Common Challenges and Possible Joint Efforts”.
Edition 53
February 11, 2023
Highlights: The meeting between Lula and Biden at the White House, the announcement of U.S. aid for the preservation of the Amazon, the harmony between the two presidents in defense of democracy and the friction between the Brazilian president and his Central Bank. Guest columnist: Fernanda Magnotta, on “What Unites and What Separates Lula and Biden”.
Edition 52
February 3, 2023
Highlights: The inauguration of the new Congress, the elections for the presidencies of the Chamber (lower house) and the Senate, information from Senator Marcos do Val that links Bolsonaro to the attempted coup d’état. Guest writer: David Magalhães, on “What is the Future of the Ultra-right without Bolsonaro”
JANUARY:
Edition 51
January 27, 2023
Highlights: The humanitarian tragedy of the Yanomami in Rondônia, the accusations of genocide against Bolsonaro and Lula's first international trips. Guest writer: Carlos Gustavo Poggio, on “Brazil-US Relations: Close Allies or Distant Neighbors”
Edition 50
January 20, 2023
Highlights: The dismissal of dozens of members of the Federal Police, the suspicion of betrayal by the armed forces and Minister of the Economy Fernando Haddad’s trip to Davos. Guest writer: Laura Trajber Waisbich, on “The Return of Brazilian South-South Cooperation”
Edition 49
January 13, 2023
Highlights: The attack by the Bolsonarist extreme right in Brasília, the hundreds of arrests, and the international defense of democracy in Brazil. Guest writer: Paulo Abrão, on “The International Reaction to the Attempted Coup in Brazil”
Edition 48
January 6, 2023
Highlights: Lula’s inauguration ceremony, Bolsonaro's departure to Florida, and the first executive measures of the new government. Guest writer: Carlos Melo, on “The Bolsonaro-Lula Transition in Brazil in 2023”