Debaters say Brazil left mediator role in Latin America

 The crises in Latin America have in common the absence of Brazil as the region's leader, the guests agreed to the debate promoted by Folha de S.Paulo this Monday (11), in order to discuss the political conjuncture of the continent.

The event brought together Maria Hermínia Tavares de Almeida, Cebrap researcher, Breno Altman, journalist and editorial director of the Opera Mundi website, and Oliver Stuenkel, professor of international relations at FGV. The mediation was made by the editor of Mundo da Folha de S. Paulo, Daigo Oliva.

For Stuenkel, historically, Brazil assumed a leadership position that facilitated dialogue between its neighbors. Today the context is the opposite. "We have no leaders in the region with the capacity and interest of dialogue."

The antagonistic character of relations between Latin American countries was reiterated by Altman. In the journalist's view, the crisis scenario is linked to what he calls a contradiction: neoliberalism's opposition to democracy. "A neoliberal program can only be implemented by removing democratic freedoms," he said.

A joint reading, however, is considered by Almeida "a waste of time". For the political scientist, crises such as Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador respond to very different internal factors. "There is no single voice on the streets. Solutions will be different for different countries," he said.

Stuenkel also commented on the relationship of the Brazilian government with the elected president of Argentina. Jair Bolsonaro regretted the election of Alberto Fernández and said he does not intend to congratulate him. "Demonizing the other side is always great for grassroots, but Latin America pays the price," he said.