THE Brazil's recent foreign policy is characterized by the categorical stance that the country has been adopting in recent years, especially since the beginning of the 21st century, when the country, in the view of many analysts, abandoned a position of acceptance and subservience and adopted a more bold. This policy is opposed to the one previously adopted, especially during the Cold War, in which the country maintained a more discreet and subservient position vis-à-vis the great world forces.
This position can be slightly contextualized with the historical moment that South America is going through, in that the degree of political direction becomes predominated by left-wing or center-left. Some examples are the governments of Hugo Chávez in Venezuela; José Mujica, in Uruguay; and Lula, in Brazil.
In this context, Brazil has sought in recent years to consolidate itself as a political leader around the world, with the concern to occupy more and more decision-making spaces in the world, to behave as a regional leader and take positions that are often contrary to the interests of the large powers. One example was the Brazilian denial of the US offensive in Iraq in 2003.
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Another issue that deserves to be highlighted is the contribution of the Brazilian Army in UN peacekeeping missions, such as the interventions in Haiti and East Timor. Such action is based on a clear objective: to gain confidence in the UN to achieve a definitive space in the Security Council.
The Security Council is a UN body composed of a select group of countries responsible for taking positions regarding major conflicts and international crises. Currently, the council is composed of 15 members, five of which are permanent (USA, China, France, England and Russia), in addition to 10 provisional. Brazil's intention is to be part of the permanent council, the only one to have veto power over general decisions taken.
In this sense, in the face of a possible expansion of the UN Security Council, Brazil seeks to position itself as a great force representative of Latin America, although some countries in that region take a stand against this supposed leadership, such as the Argentina and Mexico.
By Rodolfo Alves Pena
Graduated in Geography
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
PENA, Rodolfo F. Alves. "Brazil's recent foreign policy"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/brasil/politica-externa-recente-brasil.htm. Accessed on June 28, 2021.
