Marco Rubio Backs Flávio Bolsonaro to Escalate US Blackmail in Brazil

Featured image: Marco Rubio and Flávio Bolsonar. Source: AND

Jair Bolsonaro’s son and congressman Flávio “Racadinha” Bolsonaro, a pre-candidate in Brazil’s general election, is showing signs of seeking to increase Brazil’s subservience to Yankee imperialism in his race for the presidency.

On June 23, in a letter from Flávio Bolsonaro to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the congressman expressed his intention to increase Brazil’s subordination to the sole hegemonic superpower. A few days later, Rubio responded to Flávio Bolsonaro, thanking him for his visit to Washington and stating that they share a common vision regarding the “security” and “prosperity” of the Western Hemisphere.

In his letter, Flávio reaffirmed the US proposal to impose new economic tariffs on Brazil, designate Comando Vermelho (CV) or the First Capital Command (CPP) as terrorist groups, and demand a “transition team” at Washington’s service should he win the election.

These tariffs effectively act as “economic sanctions,” according to A Nova Democracia, with rates of up to 25% expected on Brazilian products. The United States is demanding a series of changes in order to avoid imposing these tariffs, including the elimination of preferential tariffs deemed “unfair” and the removal of barriers to access the ethanol market. A public hearing will be held on July 6 to discuss these measures. As AND explains, “the selectivity of the measures highlights US interest in Brazil’s strategic supply chains,” which include rare earths, metals, energy, and other resources that directly affect the US technology and military industries.

In his letter, Rubio thanked Flávio for his support in designating CV and CPP as “Foreign Terrorist Organizations” and “Specially Designated Global Terrorists.” This measure further reinforces the rhetoric of “narco-terrorism” as a means to increase US interference in Latin America, as has recently been seen in other countries such as Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Brazil itself.

Flávio Bolsonaro’s open subservience to US imperialism comes amid an internal crisis within the Bolsonaro party over who will be the next presidential candidate. As AND states, “By offering a transition team at Washington’s service, Flávio seeks to accumulate political and electoral capital, presenting himself to the US government as a privileged interlocutor for a potential Bolsonaro administration and vying for leadership of the clan’s ‘boss.’”