Brazil: Chronicles of a frustrated coup Commentary Questions remain in Brazil after former President Jair Bolsonaro's supporters stormed the federal government's buildings on January 8. By Marcelo Montenegro and Marilene de Paula
Elections in Brazil – Democracy at stake in the era of algorithmic politics Analysis Determined to stay in power, Brazil’s incumbent president Jair Bolsonaro borrows from Donald Trump’s playbook and is preparing the ground for a stolen election myth. He rose to power by learning how to mobilize voters from Barack Obama – and by flooding the internet with fake news. By Manoela Vianna
"Gender Ideology" - A Fantastical and Flexible Narrative Analysis The ultraconservative extreme right in Brazil is creating moral panic by pushing fake news about “gender ideology”. The fear of anything but heteronormativity plays a central role in the ascension of authoritarian leaders and democratic backsliding. By Andrea Dip
Violence in social media threatens women active in Brazilian politics Commentary In Brazil, misogynist discourse and attacks against female politicians have rapidly increased since the election of Jair Bolsonaro. Especially those who dare to challenge gender norms have become targets of online vitriol. A new law that criminalizes political gender violence may bring some relief, but may not be enough to turn the tide. By Manuela D‘Ávila
Racism’s true colours: institutional racism and police brutality in Brazil Analysis Nowhere in Latin America are so many people killed by the police as in Brazil. But not everyone is equally affected by this. Society is divided between those people who “can be killed” and “good citizens”. By Marilene de Paula
Brazil's trade with China: donkeys as an addition Background Despite criticism of China's growing influence in Brazil, Brazil's role as an exporter of raw materials and trade relations with the Asian giant were further consolidated in the first year of the Bolsonaro administration.
Photo series: The Cruzada São Sebastião in Rio de Janeiro Photo series Thousands of people live cheek by jowl in the Cruzada São Sebastião housing project. The coronavirus pandemic has hit them especially hard. Most of them were already living under tough economic conditions and now many of them have lost their jobs. The Afro-Brazilian population has been disproportionately affected by the virus, with racism and inequality thrown into even sharper relief by the pandemic. This is also the experience of the residents of Cruzada São Sebastião.
SARS-CoV-2 crisis in Brazil Background President Bolsonaro’s irresponsible approach to the coronavirus crisis has led to conflicts, also within the government. Meanwhile, civil society organisations are distributing food in poorer districts. By Annette von Schönfeld
How do we define Amazonia? Commentary Amazonia means many things to different people. Below is an overview of what Amazonia is, who lives here and why such large areas of it are being slashed and burned. By Thomas Fatheuer
Rio de Janeiro Office - Brazil In Brazil, the Heinrich Böll Foundation works on the topics of socio-ecological justice, democracy, security and human rights, as well as gender democracy.