Explaining Brazil

Two major Brazilian HMOs are accused of treating Covid patients as guinea pigs, administering chloroquine and other drugs without their knowledge — and allegedly at the behest of the Bolsonaro government. Read show notes. — This episode sampled the song Infados by Kevin MacLeod, from the YouTube Audio Library.Support the show

Last week's midterm primaries in Argentina delivered what was arguably the worst electoral defeat Peronism has ever suffered. But the problem goes beyond short-term woes. Read show notes. — Support the show

The government has delivered very little and has been a source of instability for the Brazilian economy. So what keeps market agents from turning on Bolsonaro? Read show notes. — Support the show

Bolsonaro is threatening to disregard Supreme Court rulings from now on. So how should the political system react to a president who doesn't want to play by the rules? (This episode was recorded live on Tuesday, Sep 7.) Read show notes. — Support the show

In six days, pro-Bolsonaro supporters will stage demonstrations in multiple cities. The unfolding of Brazil's political crisis depends on how big the turnout will be. Read show notes. — Support the show

Many fear September 7 could be Brazil's own version of the January 6 U.S. Capitol riots. Given the scenario in Brazil, a similar movement could have much bloodier consequences. Read show notes. — Support the show

While President Jair Bolsonaro seems to have very little interest in foreign affairs, serving in peacekeeping missions is a badge of honor for the Brazilian military — which holds enormous influence with Bolsonaro. Read show notes. — Support the show

Brazilian data protection watchdog ANPD, the National Data Protection Authority, is now able to punish companies who mishandle customer data. But many questions around regulators still linger. Read show notes. — Support the show

With sparse transport infrastructure and precarious health services, getting medical supplies to Brazil's Amazon population is a huge challenge — something laid bare by Brazil's coronavirus vaccination push. Read show notes. — Support the show

Struggling in the polls, President Jair Bolsonaro has threatened to ignore next year's election results. But is the risk of democratic rupture real? Or is the far-right simply crying coup? Read show notes. — Support the show

President Bolsonaro has recently been discharged from the hospital. While he was in, however, conflicting reports about his health made the Brazilian public suspicious.Read show notes. — Support the show

Jair Bolsonaro is using a Supreme Court nomination to rally his base. We explain the effects of his appointment on Brazilian justice and politics. Read show notes. — Support the show

Governor Eduardo Leite of Rio Grande do Sul came out as gay. But don't expect him to be a Brazilian Harvey Milk. Instead, he might be closer to Pete Buttigieg.Read show notes. — Support the show

In an ironic twist, the Jair Bolsonaro administration is facing its most severe crisis — not over the vaccines it did not pursue, but over the ones it did. Read show notes. — Support the show

Detractors of President Jair Bolsonaro are now taking to the streets to pressure him, but doing so means creating massive gatherings that are health hazards in themselves. Read show notes. — Support the show

In Brazil, the remote work solution was never easy, as the country has an extremely informal economy. This week, we discuss the future of work in Brazil.Read show notes. — Support the show

Under pressure from President Bolsonaro, the Army refused to punish active general Eduardo Pazuello for taking part in a political demonstration, causing uproar and stoking fears of military interference in the 2022 election. Read show notes. — Support the show

President Jair Bolsonaro is battling multiple domestic crises — but one dispute across the Atlantic could cost him the support of a valuable ally. Read show notes. — Support the show

As vaccine rollouts stumble in multiple Brazilian regions, health officials confirm the country's first cases of the Indian variant. Read show notes. — Support the show

Jair Bolsonaro has seen his popularity dip in recent months, now polling behind Lula. But he has an even more immediate concern: the president needs to find a party.Read show notes. — Support the show