Abstract
Brazil has historically been regarded as the natural leader of Latin America, given its level of development, the size of its economy, its military might and its ambitious foreign policy. This image was cemented during the presidencies of Lula da Silva and Dilma Rousseff, who supported Latin American integration (particularly via the creation of such blocs as UNASUR and CELAC) and diminishing Washington’s historical influence in the Western Hemisphere. However, the situation has dramatically changed with the rise to power of President Jair Bolsonaro, a staunch supporter of the US in general (and President Donald Trump in particular), which has affected Brazil’s role in the region. Based upon the analysis of specific domestic and foreign policy components, the author draws conclusions on how Brazil’s prospects as a participant (or even the key motivator) in the transformation processes in the region have changed. Brazil is no longer perceived as the axis of attempts at regional integration, but rather “just another separate state” taking care of its own interests. Brazil’s economic crisis and Bolsonaro’s strategy (or the lack thereof) regarding the COVID-19 pandemic have negatively affected Brazil’s image even further. Then again, as this analysis seeks to demonstrate, Latin America has a mixed record when it comes to integration attempts, as regional governments are zealous guardians of national sovereignty. Hence, while there have been some successful regional thrivings towards promoting cooperation, the rise of some supranationalist organization similar to the European Union – is a dream. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as Latin American (and Caribbean) blocs do not need supranationalism to be effective, but it shows the limits of regional integration initiatives.
Highlights
Brasil ha sido históricamente considerado el estado líder de América Latina por su nivel de desarrollo, tamaño económico, poder militar y su ambiciosa política exterior
it shows the limits of regional integration initiatives
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author
Summary
La política exterior de Brasil y la eterna búsqueda de la integración latinoamericana. Brasil ha sido históricamente considerado el estado líder de América Latina por su nivel de desarrollo, tamaño económico, poder militar y su ambiciosa política exterior. La situación ha cambiado drásticamente con la llegada al poder del presidente Jair Bolsonaro, un firme defensor de la política de los Estados Unidos en general (y del presidente Donald Trump en particular), lo que ha afectado significativamente el desempeño de Brasil en la región. A partir del análisis de aspectos específicos de la política interna y externa, el autor llega a las conclusiones sobre cómo han cambiado las perspectivas de Brasil en calidad de participante (o incluso como el motivador clave) en los procesos de transformación en la región. Tal conclusión no necesariamente tiene una connotación negativa, ya que las asociaciones latinoamericanas (y caribeñas) no necesitan de la supranacionalidad para ser efectivas, sin embargo demuestra los límites de las aspiraciones de integración en la región
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