Brazil
Brazil’s fascistic President Bolsonaro tests positive for coronavirus
By Tomas Castanheira, 8 July 2020
Amidst the catastrophic pandemic, Bolsonaro reaffirms his criminal message: “Life goes on, Brazil has to produce, it has to put the economy to work.”
Brazil’s coronavirus cases top 1.5 million amid record unemployment
By Tomas Castanheira, 6 July 2020
From March to May, some eight million workers lost their jobs, and more than half of the country’s working age population have become unemployed.
Pandemic spirals out of control in South Africa, India, Brazil
By Bryan Dyne, 4 July 2020
The official tallies in each country of daily confirmed coronavirus cases have become exponential, indicating that whatever containment measures were implemented to halt the spread of the virus have essentially collapsed.
Thousands of delivery workers strike across Brazil and other Latin American countries
By Brunna Machado and Letícia Silva, 4 July 2020
Thousands of delivery workers engaged in a strike on Wednesday to demand better working conditions in more than 10 Brazilian capitals, as well as in cities in Argentina and Mexico.
Pandemic surpasses 10 million COVID-19 cases and over 500,000 deaths globally
By Benjamin Mateus, 29 June 2020
COVID-19 cases in the United States have careened out of control, with health care systems in Texas, Florida and Arizona nearing collapse.
World Bank pushes privatized distance learning in Brazil
By Eduardo Parati, 29 June 2020
The São Paulo secretary of education’s declared intention of “facilitating teachers’ work” is actually aimed at furthering a shift to distance learning.
Brazilian health care workers strike for PPE and risk bonus
By Brunna Machado, 27 June 2020
On Thursday, health care professionals in the Brazilian state of Piauí started an indefinite strike as their counterparts in Rio de Janeiro launched protests.
Brazilian government hides scale of COVID-19 pandemic to promote criminal reopening
By Tomas Castanheira, 25 June 2020
Different studies point to severe underreporting of COVID-19 cases and deaths, as outbreaks at working places spread across Brazil.
World coronavirus cases rocket past 9 million as pandemic accelerates
By Bryan Dyne, 22 June 2020
Public health expert warns that infections will not come in waves, but as “one very, very difficult forest fire of cases.”
Brazilian police arrest key ally of Bolsonaro
By Miguel Andrade, 20 June 2020
Several investigations are threatening the fascist president, who has rallied military ministers to declare “the army doesn’t follow absurd orders.”
Outbreaks of COVID-19 in Brazil’s meat processing plants and mines
By Tomas Castanheira, 17 June 2020
Clusters of coronavirus at large companies across the country threaten the lives of thousands of workers.
Brazil registers world’s second-highest COVID-19 toll as stock market soars
By Miguel Andrade, 13 June 2020
The Brazilian stock market is responding to the unity of the whole ruling class around the back-to-work campaign and the brutal repression of social opposition.
Brazilian delivery workers strike in defense of their lives
By Tomas Castanheira, 12 June 2020
Delivery workers have been carrying out strikes and protests in Brazil since April, connected to delivery workers’ strikes around the world in countries like Spain, Ecuador and Argentina.
Youth protests and worker strikes show mounting social opposition in Brazil
By Tomas Castanheira, 10 June 2020
Strikes and job actions are intersecting with protests of tens by thousands of youth who have joined the international wave of demonstrations against police violence.
Bolsonaro government attempted to censor Brazil’s coronavirus case count and death toll
By Bryan Dyne, 8 June 2020
There are now more than 7 million officially confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide, an increase of one million cases in nine days, and more than 400,000 dead.
Brazil’s President Bolsonaro calls demonstrators “terrorists,” threatens military repression
By Miguel Andrade, 6 June 2020
Gen. Hamilton Mourão viciously attacked protests against the murder of George Floyd and social inequality, calling for the arrest of demonstrators.
Brazilian youth join international wave of protests against police violence
By Tomas Castanheira, 3 June 2020
Responding to demonstrations across the US, thousands of people took to the streets of Brazil protesting against police violence, racism and the fascistic president Bolsonaro.
Brazilian Trotskyists issue call for working-class action against pandemic
What will be the cost of implementing this program? Who will pay for it?
Statement of the Brazilian Socialist Equality Group (In Solidarity with the International Committee of the Fourth International), 2 June 2020
With the virus spreading rapidly, Brazil already has the second highest number of cases and sixth highest number of deaths of any country in the world.
Coronavirus cases surpass six million globally
By Bryan Dyne, 30 May 2020
New epicenters in Eastern Europe, South America, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent are rapidly causing massive public health crises.
As Brazil leads world in new COVID-19 deaths, Workers Party and pseudo-lefts rally behind capitalist state
By Miguel Andrade, 28 May 2020
The so-called opposition has brought impeachment articles against Bolsonaro for harming “internal security” in his handling of the pandemic.
JBS meatpacking plant reopens in Brazil as Latin America becomes COVID-19 epicenter
By Gabriel Lemos, 27 May 2020
Workers Party governments financed JBS’s transformation into a transnational, whose plants have become COVID-19 hotspots in both Brazil and the US.
Brazil surpasses 350,000 cases as politicians promote rapid reopening of economy
By Tomas Castanheira, 26 May 2020
For the first time, Brazil announced a larger number of deaths from COVID-19 in a single day than the United States.
South America a “new epicenter” of COVID-19 pandemic, WHO warns
By Bill Van Auken, 23 May 2020
The number of new deaths on the continent is surpassing Europe, and Brazil is rapidly overtaking Russia as the country with the second most infections after the US.
Strikes and protests by Brazilian nurses amid explosion of COVID-19 cases
By Tomas Castanheira, 22 May 2020
Over the last 15 days, there have been dozens of protests and strikes by health care workers across Brazil, as more nurses are dying than anywhere else in the world.
Brazil records 1,179 COVID-19 deaths in a single day amid spiraling political crisis
By Miguel Andrade, 21 May 2020
Even as it closes ranks behind Bolsonaro’s back-to-work campaign, the Brazilian ruling class is conscious that it is bringing Brazil to the brink of a social explosion.
Food delivery workers call for a national strike in Brazil
By Letícia Silva, 20 May 2020
After a series of strikes internationally, food delivery workers in Brazil are calling for a unified strike on May 30 against cuts in pay rates and unsafe working conditions.
Brazilian police massacre 13 in brutal operation in Rio de Janeiro
By Tomas Castanheira, 19 May 2020
“Instead of sending doctors and nurses to protect the residents from COVID-19, the government sends police, armored vehicles and helicopters to kill us.”
With Brazil on course to become new COVID-19 epicenter, Bolsonaro escalates back-to-work campaign
By Miguel Andrade, 13 May 2020
Auto factories have already restarted production even as every region in the country is breaking daily records of cases and deaths.
Brazil’s Bolsonaro demands return to work as health care system collapses
By Tomas Castanheira, 9 May 2020
A recent study indicates that the country may have more than 2 million infections as Bolsonaro, speaking for Brazil’s employers, urges a “return to normalcy.”
Brazilian nurses fired for striking in Manaus over PPE
By Tomas Castanheira, 1 May 2020
Thirteen Brazilian nurses were fired after striking on Monday, along with hundreds of their colleagues at the 28 de Agosto Hospital, in the Amazonian capital of Manaus.
Brazilian justice minister resigns, charging Bolsonaro with interference in the Federal Police
By Miguel Andrade, 28 April 2020
Sérgio Moro, internationally known for leading the Car Wash corruption probe, resigned saying Bolsonaro wanted control over investigations.
Brazilian nurses go on strike in Manaus amid collapse of health care system
By Tomas Castanheira, 28 April 2020
The strike was a cry of desperation; in addition to the lack of PPE, nurses have not been paid their salaries, in some cases for up to eight months.
As Bolsonaro pushes to reopen schools, Brazilian state governments escalate attacks on education
By Gabriel Lemos, 27 April 2020
Brazil’s fascistic president justified his proposal by saying, “It’s a reality: on average, 70 percent will catch the virus… It is no use running away from this reality.”
Food delivery workers in Brazil join international strikes against unsafe conditions
By Tomas Castanheira, 25 April 2020
Over the past week, there have been strikes and protests in Brazil and other Latin American countries, including Ecuador and Argentina, as well as Spain.
Brazil’s Bolsonaro escalates coup threats as ruling class pushes “back-to-work” orders
By Miguel Andrade, 22 April 2020
As COVID-19 spread uncontrolled across the country, Bolsonaro delivered a fascist rant in front of hundreds of supporters gathered at Brazil’s Army headquarters.
Brazilian nurses strike over deadly conditions as COVID-19 deaths mount
By Tomas Castanheira, 18 April 2020
This week, after a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases in Brazil, protests and work stoppage spread to hospitals and other health care units.
Brazil’s Bolsonaro sacks health minister as Amazonian capital of Manaus is first to face health collapse
By Miguel Andrade, 17 April 2020
Federal and local health authorities in Brazil have widely admitted losing control of the COVID-19 spread, and now Bolsonaro expects a new minister to provide a veneer of rationality to his neglect of the disease
As COVID-19 pandemic rages, World Bank backs restructuring of education in Brazil
By Eduardo Parati, 16 April 2020
Joining Brazilian education officials and the private sector in an online meeting, a World Bank representative offered directives for a permanent for-profit distance learning system.
Brazilian ruling class backs growing military control as COVID-19 pandemic grips country
By Miguel Andrade, 10 April 2020
Barely 35 years after being ousted from power by mass strikes, the military is being welcomed back as caretakers amid the mounting COVID-19 crisis.
Brazilian workers clash with unions over coronavirus crisis
By Tomas Castanheira, 9 April 2020
A new provisional measure approved by Bolsonaro on April 1 allows companies to suspend contracts, reducing working hours and cutting wages by up to 70 percent.
General Motors imposes wage cuts and layoffs on Brazilian workers with aid of unions
By Tomas Castanheira, 3 April 2020
GM announced mass layoffs along with a wage cut of up to 25 percent in wages at all its Brazilian plants.
Brazilian stadium turned into field hospital as ruling class closes ranks behind corporate bailouts
By Miguel Andrade, 1 April 2020
Shocking images of stadiums transformed into concentration camps for the sick and dying stand in stark contrast to Bolsonaro’s criminal denial of the seriousness of the pandemic.
Brazil’s Bolsonaro threatens dictatorship over COVID-19 crisis
By Miguel Andrade, 27 March 2020
Leading Brazilian businessmen have terrorized workers with threats of “40 million unemployed” unless state quarantines are lifted.
“We are not going to die in our cubicles!” – Wildcat strikes erupt at call centers across Brazil
By our reporters, 26 March 2020
Workers have rebelled against unsafe conditions in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, challenging transnational corporations like AlmaViva.
Growing anger among Brazilian workers to response of government and unions to coronavirus crisis
By Tomas Castanheira, 20 March 2020
In the Brazilian auto plants, the life of the workers is being put at risk on a daily basis to ensure that the corporations continue to extract profits.
Bolsonaro tells workers to work or starve as COVID-19 spreads in Brazil
By Tomas Castanheira, 18 March 2020
After personally participating in a fascistic demonstration in defense of his government, Bolsonaro made clear his intention to defend the markets at the expense of the lives of Brazilian workers.
After ending oil workers strike in Brazil, union approves plant closure and layoffs
By Tomas Castanheira, 12 March 2020
Instead of "resuming the historic strike," as they had promised, the unions told workers to accept layoffs.
Brazil’s Bolsonaro signs military pact with Trump
By Bill Van Auken, 11 March 2020
The meeting of the two fascistic presidents in Florida was dedicated to escalating aggression against Venezuela, even as the US and Brazil remain divided on economic issues.
Brazil: Amid brutal police repression, São Paulo government passes state pension reform
By Eduardo Parati and Gabriel Lemos, 7 March 2020
The attack was carried out with the complicity of the teachers union and after Workers Party governments in the northeast of Brazil passed their own pension reforms.
Clash between Bolsonaro and Congress deepens crisis of capitalist rule in Brazil
By Tomas Castanheira, 6 March 2020
The Bolsonaro government’s break with bourgeois democratic forms of rule—like that of Trump in the US or Modi in India—is symptomatic of a profound crisis of the entire capitalist system.
In alliance with Workers’ Party, Bolsonaro sends Brazilian army to contain police strike
By Tomas Castanheira, 27 February 2020
Bolsonaro’s use of the army for domestic repression and his granting troops a license to kill with impunity are in continuity with policies pursued by the PT when it was in power.
Brazilian oil workers’ unions shut down strike to “negotiate” with Labor Court
By Gabriel Lemos, 25 February 2020
The oil workers union federations ended the three-week strike at state-owned oil giant Petrobras just as it threatened to impact Brazil’s economy.
Brazilian Army general takes over as Bolsonaro’s chief of staff
By Tomas Castanheira, 21 February 2020
The Brazilian military now holds 9 of 22 cabinet seats—including all of those with offices in the Planalto presidential palace—and has gained a presence in practically every ministry.
As Brazilian oil workers’ strike grows, Labor Court rules it “abusive”
By Gabriel Lemos, 11 February 2020
The Brazilian ruling elite fears that the strike at the state-owed oil giant Petrobras will spread to other sections of public and private sector workers.
Brazil’s Workers Party advances austerity policies in unity with Bolsonaro
By Tomas Castanheira, 5 February 2020
The PT, which promotes itself as a representative of the “left”, in fact constitutes one of the greatest threats to the Brazilian working class, alongside Bolsonaro.
Brazilian oil workers strike against mass layoffs, privatization threat
By Gabriel Lemos, 4 February 2020
The strike at the state-owned giant Petrobras comes amid strikes by other sections of public sector workers against Bolsonaro’s privatization program.
Brazilian President Bolsonaro guest of honor at India’s Republic Day
By Tomas Castanheira, 30 January 2020
Modi advocated a “strategic partnership” based on “similar ideology and similar values.”
Brazil’s Bolsonaro government charges journalist Glenn Greenwald with “cybercrimes”
By Bill Van Auken, 22 January 2020
The trumped-up charges against Greenwald by Bolsonaro’s fascistic government are of a piece with the global assault on free speech and democratic rights and the jailing of WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange.
Brazil’s minister of culture fired after fascist speech plagiarizing Joseph Goebbels
By Tomas Castanheira, 22 January 2020
Alvim delivered his speech flanked by a Brazilian flag and a cross and with a Wagner opera that was reportedly Hitler’s favorite playing in the background.
Bolsonaro backs Trump in war on Iran, while Workers’ Party appeals to Brazilian military
By Tomas Castanheira, 15 January 2020
Brazil’s fascistic President Jair Bolsonaro was one of the first to defend Washington’s assassination of Iranian general Qassem Suleiman.
Fascist group carries out terrorist attack in Brazil
By Tomas Castanheira, 8 January 2020
The Bolsonaro government, which denounces every form of social protest as “terrorism”, has remained silent about the firebombing, signaling tacit support for fascist violence.
Brazilian Workers Party joins Bolsonaro in imposing austerity, repressing strikes
By Tomas Castanheira, 27 December 2019
Relying on police brutality, Brazilian state governments, led by the PT, are imposing pension “reforms” that all but prevent workers from retiring.
São Paulo Ford plant closure exposes Brazilian union as agent of capitalist “restructuring”
By Brunna Machado, 17 December 2019
The Ford plant closure follows a series of similar union-imposed defeats that have radically changed the Brazilian auto industry.
Wave of teachers strikes confront attacks on pensions and working conditions in Brazil
By Tomas Castanheira, 13 December 2019
Bolsonaro’s government and its Economy Minister Paulo Guedes have made it clear that they aim to privatize all public services, including schools.
Brazilian Workers Party backs Bolsonaro’s draconian “anti-crime” bill
By Miguel Andrade, 11 December 2019
The vote has shattered the year-long claim by Bolsonaro’s opposition that it represents some kind of democratic “resistance”.
Trump escalates global trade war
By Nick Beams, 4 December 2019
Responding to a question in London on whether there was a deadline for a trade deal with China, Trump said: “I like the idea of waiting until after the election for the China deal.”
Police massacre nine youth in repression of dance in Sao Paulo favela
By Brunna Machado and Tomas Castanheira, 3 December 2019
The slaughter in Sao Paulo came as Bolsonaro is advancing an act granting a license to kill for military personnel acting to “guarantee law and order”.
Brazil’s Bolsonaro founds new fascistic party
By Miguel Andrade, 2 December 2019
The party’s founding follows repeated threats to impose police state measures if large-scale demonstrations like those in Chile erupt in Brazil.
Brazil’s Bolsonaro launches chauvinistic “green and yellow” youth employment program to foster “competitiveness”
By Tomas Castanheira, 26 November 2019
While draping the program in the national colors, Bolsonaro himself has admitted that its aim is to “reduce labor costs” in order to attract investment.
Brazil’s Bolsonaro threatens use of dictatorship-era law against Lula for “inciting violence”
By Miguel Andrade, 15 November 2019
Bolsonaro and the military brass met immediately after Lula was allowed to leave prison while appealing a corruption sentence.
Largest Brazilian media group implicates Bolsonaro in death squad execution of Marielle Franco
By Miguel Andrade, 7 November 2019
Every faction of the Brazilian political system, from the Army to the pseudo-left, fears that Bolsonaro’s austerity measures and fascistic rhetoric may trigger a social explosion.
Recriminations within Brazilian ruling classes over Trump’s OECD snub
By Miguel Andrade, 24 October 2019
Contrary to expectations, the US State Department didn’t propose Brazil for OECD membership, triggering a wave of criticism of Bolsonaro for the diplomatic failure.
Brazilian unions push “green and yellow” chauvinism in education strike against austerity, political interference
By Miguel Andrade, 9 October 2019
A range of issues, from austerity measures to privatizations, have repeatedly brought students to the streets, causing panic not only in the government, but in the unions and the opposition.
Brazilian GM workers speak out on US autoworkers’ strike
By a WSWS reporting team, 17 September 2019
Brazilian GM workers increasingly recognize that every issue they face is common to their class brothers in the US and internationally.
Amazon wildfires expose fallacy of “green” capitalist politics
By Miguel Andrade, 28 August 2019
While Bolsonaro invokes rabid dictatorship-era chauvinism, world powers are using the fires to further their own strategic aims.
Wildfires rage throughout the Amazon rainforest
By Bryan Dyne, 23 August 2019
The Amazon rainforest supplies one-fifth of the world’s oxygen and plays a key role in the planet’s climate.
Brazil’s Bolsonaro threatens Glenn Greenwald, ratchets up fascist rants
By Miguel Andrade, 13 August 2019
Bolsonaro is engaged in the buildup of a fascist movement based on the security forces, and feels emboldened by the wide consensus in ruling circles around his economic agenda.
Deadlock over Iranian cargo ships exposes deep crisis of Brazilian ruling class
By Alexander Ramirez and Miguel Andrade, 5 August 2019
As the Bolsonaro government aligns itself ever more closely with US imperialism, the ruling class is growing nervous of provoking a social explosion
Bossa Nova pioneer, songwriter and musician João Gilberto dead at 88
By Hiram Lee, 13 July 2019
Together with the composer Antônio Carlos Jobim, Gilberto pioneered a “new wave” in Brazilian popular music during the mid-to-late 1950s that had a worldwide impact.
Renewed push towards authoritarian rule in Brazil after exposures in Car Wash probe
By Miguel Andrade, 1 July 2019
The publishing of leaked messages concerning the trial of Lula has led to government threats of repression and charges of collusion with Russian intelligence.
Brazilian unions sabotage one-day general strike
By Miguel Andrade, 20 June 2019
After telling workers to “stay home” during the general strike, union officials spoke in favor of the reactionary pension reform Bolsonaro sent to Congress.
Strikes in Chile, Costa Rica and Honduras
Teachers struggles erupt across Latin America
By Andrea Lobo, 8 June 2019
The response by the ruling class to the resistance led by teachers has been the same everywhere: the claim that there is “no money” and police state repression.
Workers Party theorist pens diatribe against Brazilian “white trash”
By Miguel Andrade, 5 June 2019
The use of this reactionary term to describe poor whites exposes the anti-working class character of the PT.
Fifty-five inmates killed in Brazilian prisons
By Gabriel Lemos, 1 June 2019
This escalating slaughter has been caused by a 300 percent increase in the prison population in the last two decades.
Brazilian media, Workers Party and pseudo-lefts attempt to derail opposition to Bolsonaro
By Miguel Andrade, 28 May 2019
The militant attitude of hundreds of thousands of working class youth who flocked to the teachers’ demonstrations horrified Bolsonaro’s ostensible opponents.
Brazilian youth speak out during São Paulo demonstration against Bolsonaro’s attacks on education
By our reporters, 21 May 2019
Demonstrations on May 15 brought one million people to the streets in the first nationwide protest against the policies of Brazil’s fascistic President Bolsonaro.
One million take to the streets against education cuts, austerity in Brazil
By Miguel Andrade, 18 May 2019
The powerful demonstrations by teachers and students in over 200 cities targeted both fascistic President Bolsonaro and Workers Party (PT) state governors.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
Brazilian university workers, students to strike over cuts; series of strikes hit Argentina
14 May 2019
Public university professors and students will strike later this week over cuts by the government of Jair Bolsonaro while educators, petroleum workers and judicial workers in Argentina have set dates for stoppages.
The defense of Venezuela and the struggle for socialism in Latin America
By Bill Van Auken, 10 May 2019
We are publishing here the text of the speech to the 2019 International May Day Online Rally delivered by Bill Van Auken.
Brazilian unions defend reactionary pension “reform” at May Day rally
By Miguel Andrade, 3 May 2019
With economic figures showing no sign of economic recovery, the PT and the unions are working to quell any working class movement against Bolsonaro.
Protests force American Museum of Natural History to cancel event with Brazil’s Bolsonaro
By Miguel Andrade, 20 April 2019
In face of fierce popular reaction, the ruling elites in New York have been forced to disassociate themselves from the fascistic Brazilian president.
Netanyahu embraces Brazil’s Bolsonaro during Israel visit
By Jean Shaoul, 6 April 2019
Under Netanyahu, Israel has become a pole of attraction for right-wing ideologues, ultra-nationalists and neo-fascists the world over.
Emboldened by Trump, Brazil’s Bolsonaro orders military to celebrate 1964 coup
By Miguel Andrade, 29 March 2019
Fresh from his White House reception, Bolsonaro’s fascist rhetoric expresses a consensus within wide layers of the ruling class that the military is the only force that can rule Brazil.
Officials, media call for school militarization, censorship after mass shooting in Brazilian school
By Miguel Andrade, 21 March 2019
The tragic school shooting has exposed the Brazilian establishment’s indifference to the social distress engulfing wide layers of the population.
Trump, Bolsonaro and the danger of fascism
By Patrick Martin, 20 March 2019
Trump hailed the “shared values” between his government and that of a former military officer, who praises the Brazilian military dictatorship that jailed, tortured and murdered tens of thousands of workers and students.
São Paulo teachers’ union shuts down one-month strike
By our reporters, 15 March 2019
The union called an end to the strike after a clear majority of teachers voted to continue it.
Closure of Brazil Ford plant to destroy up to 27,000 jobs
By Miguel Andrade, 14 March 2019
The devastating plant closure has laid bare the abysmal economic situation in Brazil and offered yet another opportunity for the unions to spread nationalist poison.
Sao Paulo teachers, public workers strike against attack on pensions in Brazil
By our reporters, 25 February 2019
Teachers have been on strike since February 4 in opposition to a pension reform that would significantly increase their required contributions.
Amid US provocation at Venezuelan border
Brazilian media promotes generals against Bolsonaro
By Miguel Andrade, 25 February 2019
The media is promoting the military’s supposed “independence” from the US-aligned policies of Bolsonaro.
GM and union use shutdown threat to slash wages of Brazilian autoworkers
By Eduardo Parati and Gabriel Lemos, 15 February 2019
The betrayal of GM workers came as Brazil’s largest union federation, the CUT, sought an accommodation with the fascistic President Jair Bolsonaro’s government.
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