Amazon fires: Brazilian rainforest burning at record rate, space agency warns

[sandensea]

2. The Bolsonazi effect

Besides the strictly political (Bolso's being an unreconstructed fascist), this is a good example of the Law of Unintended Consequences.

This takes us to the one biggest recent U.S. mistake in Latin America policy:

The encouragement of right-wing "alternatives" to the center-left administrations in office across much of Latin America a decade ago.

The targeted governments were no "commies": most created a veritable business boom - after 20 years of stagnation in most of these countries - with 4%+ growth for 10 years (2003-13).

The most prominent victim of this policy - instigated by neo-con elements in State and the intelligence agencies - was Brazil's Worker's Party.

First, by helping the right-wing majority in Brazil's Congress mount a parliamenary coup against Dilma Rousseff in 2016 - and then by helping Moro and Dallagnol (a far-right judge and prosecutor) railroad Lula da Silva in 2018.

For those less familiar with Brazil's recent turmoil, putting Lula da Silva in jail put Bolsonazi in power.

Had da Silva been allowed to run, he would've mopped the floor with Bolso (up 20%+ in most polls) - and the Amazon wouldn't be going through this onslaught right now.

Thanks for keeping up with this, Judi - and Latin America in general. There's so much going on.