Explaining Brazil

Two years after the World Health Organization declared the Americas free of measles, the disease could be about to make a comeback. To discuss the issue, Explaining Brazil hosts Dr. Rosana Richtmann, an infectious disease specialist at the Emilio Ribas Institute, in São Paulo. Read show notes. Support the show

Sunday was a day that killed any argument that Brazil's institutions are working properly. Appellate judge Rogério Favreto tried to release former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from prison at all costs, while the judges who convicted Lula worked tooth and nail to keep him behind bars, despite being on vacation. Read show notes. Support the show

We shed light on initiatives that fight for the social inclusion of gays, lesbians, and trans individuals. Explaining Brazil hosts Paolo Capistrano, an English teacher who founded English to Trans-form, which helps trans people to improve their skills for the workplace, trying to curb the segregation so often imposed by society.  Read show notes. Support the show

Between 1999 and 2015, opioid consumption in Brazil has jumped by 465 percent, according to a study recently published by the American Journal of Public Health. Tthat should be cause for concern, say experts. Read show notes. Support the show

The 2018 FIFA World Cup kicked off on June 14. One week later, Brazil still doesn't seem to be in the mood for football. Unlike other editions of the event, you don't see many Brazilian flags waved out from windows, nor many people dressed up in yellow and green. Why is that? That's what we debate with Brazilian historian - and football fanatic - Matias Pinto. Read show notes. Support the show

In 2012, Brazil established nuclear power as a priority. Since then, however, Brazil's economy took a nosedive, power company executives were convicted for corruption, and projects on nuclear energy have stalled. So, what's the state of Brazilian nuclear as of now? That's what we will talk about this week with the president of Eletronuclear - Brazil's state-owned nuclear power company. Read show notes. Support the show

During the Environmental Week, The Brazilian Report discusses Brazil's energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources. Read show notes. Support the show

Over the past week, roads have been blocked and truckers, who are responsible for 60 percent of cargo transportation in Brazil, have not worked. Fuel and food supplies are lacking in most urban centers. São Paulo has declared a state of emergency. Over 270 flights were cancelled because there was simply no fuel left for airplanes. How did it get so bad, and what will happen now? Read show notes. Support the show

Created in 1991, Mercosur is formed by Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Venezuela has been suspended, and Bolivia will soon join. What do these economies have in common? As it turns out, not much – and that is one of the reasons why the free trade agreement remains highly dysfunctional. Read show notes. Support the show

In 2013, anthropologist Lilia Schwarcz published a book about race relations. She conducted a poll that revealed 97 percent of those surveyed said they were not racist – but 98 percent said they know someone who is racist. How can a country be racist ‘without’ having racists? Read show notes.  Support the show

Brazilians might be creative, but can they innovate? Latin America’s top economy has not ranked well in the latest innovation rankings. However, there are initiatives in Brazil certainly worth noting. Read show notes. Support the show

Venezuela has been haunted by multiple interconnected crises. The country’s inflation is expected to close this year at 679.73 percent. Meanwhile, President Nicolás Maduro has only focused his efforts on keeping himself in power. What does the future hold for Brazil's northern neighbor? We host Rosario Hernandez, a political analyst from Venezuela and a member of the website Young Diplomats, a partner institution of The Brazilian Report. Read show notes. Support the show

Skewed facts are probably a well-established part of the agenda in any election campaign. But there’s no denying that social media has accelerated misinformation’s speed and extended its reach. Brazil has 122 million Facebook users, making it the social media giant’s third largest market. Read show notes. Support the show

On Saturday, April 7th, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva began serving a 12-year-one-month prison sentence. In a span of 8 years, Lula went from the most popular leader in Brazilian history, a man who distributed revenue like no other president and was approved by 80% of Brazilians, to the first former president ever to be put behind bars. What does it mean for Brazil’s already tumultuous political landscape? Read show notes. Support the show

A lot has happened in Brazil since The Economist used an image of a rocket-powered Christ the Redeemer statue poised to shoot skywards. Brazil’s international reputation has suffered over the last few years, with both national and international coverage often zeroing in on corruption, crime and political instability. Read show notes. Support the show

This is the fifth episode of Explaining Brazil, a weekly podcast created by The Brazilian Report. This week, we’re talking about Flávio Rocha, Forbes’ 39th wealthiest man in Brazil and now the Brazilian Republican Party’s presidential candidate. With the backing of the Free Brazil Movement (MBL), he’s doing his best to put forward the image of Brazil’s ‘reasonable’ right-wing. But what does he stand for, and how far will he get?  Read show notes. Support the show

This week, we’re discussing the murder of Marielle Franco, Rio de Janeiro’s extraordinary city councilwoman. Black, queer, and hailing from the Maré favela in the North Zone, Marielle had been a vocal human rights advocate and was one of the city’s most treasured politicians. Read show notes. Support the show

Despite the federal government’s expectations of a 3 percent GDP growth for 2018, the OECD says that isolationist policies and trade barriers – plus market demands for a pension reform that seems increasingly unlikely – may continue to obstruct Brazil’s economic growth. Read show notes. Support the show

By declaring a federal intervention in Rio de Janeiro, President Michel Temer hopes to improve his electoral chances. But polling at 1%, his reelection dream might be just that... a dream. Read show notes. Support the show

Brazilian President Michel Temer announced on February 16 that national Armed Forces would intervene in Rio de Janeiro's security system. The intervention plan has several political implications - and multiple question marks hang over the motives behind the measure. Journalists Gustavo Ribeiro, Diego Iraheta, and Ciara Long comment on what happens to Rio and Brazil moving forward. Read show notesSupport the show