Much like its embrace of Viktor Orban, the right’s infatuation with the machismo of petty tyrants such as Bolosanro must end.
Since losing his reelection bid, incumbent Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has remained conspicuously silent, but his American supporters certainly haven’t. North of the equator, the newly unleashed bird is ablaze, with Yankee Bolsonaristas sounding off about the “injustice” perpetrated by the ex-convict and once and future leftist president, Lula de Silva.
To no one’s surprise, the usual suspects of suspicion cried electoral fraud with zero corroborating evidence faster than Michael Scott could declare bankruptcy. Unfortunately, they were not alone. There are too many believers in a kind of warped neo-Kirkpatrick Doctrine that would see Bolsanaro remain in charge of Brazil, whatever it takes.
Bolsonaro is no friend of Washington. Comparisons to Pinochet are generous at best. He’s neither a free marketeer nor a bulwark against our revisionist adversaries. Beijing has been the biggest beneficiary of his presidency. While originally staunchly anti-China, his tune changed dramatically after Trump left the White House in early 2021. His ostracization in Western capitals has enabled the PRC to gain a foothold in the region.
Foreign Policy notes that, “Trade between Brazil and China has grown considerably throughout Bolsonaro’s first presidential term, from about $100 billion in 2019 to $135 billion in 2021,” and Brasília heavily relied on the effectually dubious Chinese-made Covid vaccine, Sinovac, during the pandemic. And as Bolsonaro turned his back on the rest of Latin America, China has been able to entrench itself further there.
More importantly, Bolosanro’s eerily familiar attack on the legitimacy of Brazil’s electoral process should concern all freedom-loving conservatives. Amidst worldwide democratic backsliding, we should only support autocratic statesmen when the alternative is worse, such as in the case of Saudi Arabia.
I am no fan of de Silva. Contrary to the lies perpetuated by many in the mainstream media, his corrupt, socialist administration did not produce an economic miracle. In fact, his few successes owe as much to the right as they do to the left. But de Silva‘s recent overtures to the business community are a welcome sign. It’s a tough choice, and de Silva will hardly be perfect. But there’s a good chance he will be better for American interests than Bolsonaro.
Much like its embrace of Viktor Orban, the right’s infatuation with the machismo of petty tyrants such as Bolosanro must end. Tethering ourselves to these men will only end in ruin.