Microcephaly, dengue and the collapse of public health in Brazil

Working families and poor people are the victims of diseases that need not exist. Thousands of cases of microcephaly and chikungunya, along with hundreds of thousands of cases of dengue, resulting in record deaths, are three diseases seemingly brought about by the same mosquito and spread mainly in poor communities because of successive governments’ abandonment of public health. They govern for the rich, and the poor suffer the consequences.

The Political Interests Behind Brazilian President’s Impeachment

In early December, an impeachment process was opened against President Dilma Rouseff, the current President of Brazil and member of the Workers Party (Partido dos Trabalhadores-PT). Here are some basic facts that everyone should know about the impeachment process, the PT, and recent events in Brazil.

The economy and politics at the end of the cycle in Latin America

The situation in Brazil, where in response to an acute economic and political crisis, Dilma's government has implemented harsh austerity measures and made pacts with the right wing, is a telling sign of the accelerating decline of the so-called “progressive” governments in Latin America.

A Perfect Storm at Petrobras – Interview with an Oil Worker

We interviewed Leandro – a worker at Petrobras in Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro – early this week to ask him about the strike and its broader significance.

Budget Cuts and the PT’s New Political Position

President Dilma of the Worker’s Party (PT) has been barely holding onto the Presidency amidst threats of impeachment, the Petrobras scandal, and huge dissatisfaction among Brazilians due to government austerity plans. However, the Brazilian political parties are beginning to show signs of reorganizing themselves to assure government cuts and political stability, making the threat of impeachment less likely.

The Revolutionary Workers’ Movement votes to enter the PSOL

The Revolutionary Workers Movement (MRT) held their first congress over the July 18th-20th weekend in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The event brought militant activists from around Brazil to debate revolutionary strategy and develop perspectives for constructing a left alternative in the face of a deepening economic and political crisis. The congress voted to launch an important campaign to enter as a current in PSOL (The Party for Socialism and Freedom).

Brazil: Rio’s Student Resistance

Resistance at Brazil’s universities has provided a glimmer of hope amid ongoing austerity and repression.

Against corruption and privatization: Brazilian oil for Brazilian workers

With the recent corruption scandal in Petrobras, foreign investors seek to profit off of Brazilian oil. While former president Cardoso was much more aggressive and vocal about privatizing Petrobras, both Workers’ Party presidents Lula and Dilma have furthered the privatization. Workers must fight against all forces behind the privatization of Petrobras and build a movement for a 100% state-owned Petrobras, managed by workers. This is the only way Brazilian oil will help build badly-needed infrastructure and serve the people.

Shift in Brazil’s Foreign Policy: Dilma’s US Sales Tour

On the week of June 29, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff of the Worker’s Party (PT) visited the United States, on what can best be described as a sales tour, aiming for the US government and businesses to invest in Brazil.