Brazil

• Thursday, March 23rd 2023 - 10:45 UTC

  Brazil central bank keeps rate unchanged despite Lula's government complaints, “the highest in the world”

  

  The Brazilian Central kept interest rates unchanged for the fifth consecutive policy meeting on Wednesday, increasing concern and criticism from the government of president Lula da Silva. The bank's rate-setting committee, Copom, maintained its Selic benchmark interest rate at 13.75%. The decision, which defied intense pressure from the government of Lula da Silva, matched the expectations of analysts.

• Thursday, March 23rd 2023 - 10:16 UTC

  Brazil's Food Purchase Program re-launched

  

  Brazil's government Wednesday re-launched the Food Purchase Program (PAA) that used to exist in President Luiz Inàcio Lula Da Silva's previous administrations. The new format will focus on expanding production from minority groups and land reform measures, Agencia Brasil reported.

• Thursday, March 23rd 2023 - 10:14 UTC

  Brazil: Minister Haddad not happy about Selic rate remaining unchanged

  

  Brazil's Finance Minister Fernando Haddad found the Monetary Policy Committee (Copom)'s decision to leave the basic Selic interest rate unchanged at 13.75% per year “very worrisome,” particularly because new increases were not ruled out for the near future, Agencia Brasil reported.

• Wednesday, March 22nd 2023 - 10:35 UTC

  Lula insists in criticizing central bank autonomy: current rate of 13,75% is “irresponsible”

  

  Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva criticized on Tuesday the country's central bank, saying that an interest rate of 13.75% - its current level - is “irresponsible,” adding he will continue to fight the current level to stimulate the economy.

• Tuesday, March 21st 2023 - 09:55 UTC

  Enslaved Paraguayan workers freed in Rio de Janeiro

  

  Brazil's Federal Police Monday freed 19 Paraguayan nationals who were working at a Rio de Janeiro clandestine cigarette factory in slave-like conditions, Agencia Brasil reported. The workers arrived in Brazil blindfolded and did not even know they were in the municipality of Duque de Caxias, in Baixada Fluminense.

• Saturday, March 18th 2023 - 10:01 UTC

  Alckmin discusses Brazil's ties with European envoy beyond Mercosur

  

  Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin met Friday with the European Commission's Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager to discuss the South American country's relations beyond the Mercosur deal, Agencia Brasil reported.

• Friday, March 17th 2023 - 10:18 UTC

  Lula and Abdo discuss Itaipú, Unasur, and UE deal

  

  Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva Thursday told his Paraguayan colleague Mario Abdo Benítez about his intentions to reorganize Unasur and reinforce Mercosur's unity. Lula and Abdo met at the Itaipu hydroelectric power plant in Foz do Iguazú.

• Friday, March 17th 2023 - 08:02 UTC

  De Moraes releases another 129 Jan. 8 suspects

  

  Brazil's Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice Alexandre De Moraes has Thursday ordered the release of another 129 people who were in custody for allegedly participating in the Jan. 8 riots in Brasilia. With this new ruling, 294 remain in prison (86 women and 208 men), while over 1,100 have been released, although they will remain under surveillance.

• Thursday, March 16th 2023 - 06:39 UTC

  Bolsonaro has five days to deliver Saudi Arabian jewelry

  

  Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was given five days by his country's Court of Audit of the Union (TCU) Wednesday to hand over the jewelry received in 2021 from Saudi Arabia.

• Wednesday, March 15th 2023 - 10:19 UTC

  Bolsonaro wants TCU to hold the jewels pending a final ruling

  

  Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro Tuesday asked the Federal Court of Audit (TCU) to keep in its possession a set of jewels received as a gift from Saudi Arabia, Agencia Brasil reported.