Jair Bolsonaro may be banned from seeking reelection until 2030, but at CPAC Brazil, he was welcomed as a hero—and he wasn’t the only one. Argentina’s libertarian President Javier Milei also made an unexpected appearance, as did a slew of right-wing leaders throughout the region. Trumpeting a new unity of “patriotic forces,” the various speakers pledged to stage a comeback for the far right in Latin America in the coming years. Mike Fox reports for The Real News.
Production / Post-Production: Michael Fox
Transcript
Michael Fox: CPAC Brazil, the largest conservative event in the country. One man hit the stage like no other: Argentina’s new president, Javier Milei. A libertarian rock star.
President Javier Milei [recording]: Socialism is violently murderous, that’s why it’s becoming extinct. And we’re going to kick it out wherever it is.
Michael Fox: It was Milei’s first meeting with former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro. He skipped a summit of regional leaders to go. It’s a sign of the increasing ties of the far-right in Latin America.
This is the Brazilian cousin of the CPAC conference in the United States. Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of the former president, brought it here in 2019. This year’s event was held in Balneário Camboriú, a conservative city in the conservative southern state of Santa Catarina.
It was a big deal.
Joao Pedro Barbosa, Student: CPAC is a huge revolution for the right.
Jose Fabio Faustino, Bolsonaro Supporter: I’m here for the cause because Bolsonaro woke us up. The joy of being patriots and defending our country. Thinking of our children and grandchildren. And to show the unity that the right has achieved in the wake of the Bolsonaro presidency.
Michael Fox: Despite losing the presidency to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in 2022, Jair Bolsonaro holds elite status here. Crowds cheer his name. He is the undisputed king of the far right in Brazil.
Valdemar Costa Neto, Liberal Party President: For everything stupid that they say about Bolsonaro, his image only grows. It’s incredible. No one has Bolsonaro’s charisma on planet Earth. We owe everything to Bolsonaro.
Michael Fox: Bolsonaro has even launched his own line of products, wine and apparel, sold in the Bolsonaro store just inside the event hall.
Last year, Bolsonaro was barred from office until 2030 for spreading lies about Brazil’s electoral system. He’s now been indicted by the Supreme Court for other offenses.
Those here say it’s political persecution and that they’re living under a totalitarian state. They blame the country’s Supreme Court for its response to the invasion of the Brazilian capital on Jan. 8, 2023, with investigations and detentions.
Paulo Kogos, São Paulo City Council Candidate: Unfortunately, in Brazil we have political prisoners. We have people being expelled from the country. It’s a socialist dictatorship.
Michael Fox: It’s not true. But this discourse reigns supreme here.
Rogerio Christofoletti is a communication professor at the Federal University of Santa Catarina.
Rogerio Christofoletti, UFSC: Unfortunately, the far right has used the international playbook of substantiating itself through conspiracy theories, fake news, attacks on institutions, attacks on the press, creating a smokescreen to circulate their messages. And unfortunately, the right has based much of its electoral platform on this.
Michael Fox: This conference was also a sign of how the far right is on the move.
Vajk Farkas, Center for Fundamental Rights, Hungary: The patriotic forces are finally uniting, they are finally aligning into a huge European force. Finally, the patriotic forces are committing to fight together against progressive hegemony. Against these phenomena and ideologies that are destroying our continent, culture, nations, and families.
Michael Fox: The meeting showcased far-right politicians from several Latin American countries: Chile, Mexico, El Salvador.
During his talk, Bolivian businessman Branko Marinković announced he would be running for Bolivia’s presidency in 2025. Marinković studied at the University of Texas and served as minister under the coup government of Jeanine Añez in 2020.
Branko Marinković, Bolivian Businessman: In our countries, we have been subjected to a system that has taken away our freedoms. It’s taken away God.
Valdemar Costa Neto, Liberal Party President: We are going to win in Italy; God willing, in the United States; and, without a doubt, Brazil in 2026. No one can stop us from this campaign.
Michael Fox: On stage, several far-right organizations talked about how they’re working to build a base for the future.
Speaker 1: Everyone can do something, no matter how tiny it is. Be it in your home, with your children, with your parents, in your school, on your team. It doesn’t matter where. All of us have the obligation to do something.
Michael Fox: The Brazilian Patriots Association had a table at the event. It grew out of a garage. They say they now have more than 200 local chapters across the country.
Speaker 2: We are building for a better country. And this is our mission: God, homeland, family.
Michael Fox: That is Bolsonaro’s slogan. It was also the slogan of many former fascist parties, from Portugal to Brazil.
Those here at the event have their sights set on the regional elections in Brazil later this year, and again on the presidency in 2026.
Jose Fabio Faustino, Bolsonaro supporter: The right is going to show just how organized it is. And we are going to dominate this country and the world, in the name of Jesus.
Michael Fox: They’re looking at Trump for inspiration.
Adolfo Butzke, Former City Councilman: For me and for the Brazilian people, Trump represents the defense of freedom. For people, family, and the economy. Progress for everyone who works and who defend the greatest value, which is freedom.
Michael Fox: Many here say Trump’s campaign for the White House is again blowing wind into the far right’s sails, not just here, but across the region.
Vajk Farkas, Center for Fundamental Rights, Hungry: I’m convinced that if Trump wins, it’s not just a win for the United States, but we will be victorious across the American continent.
Michael Fox: That is exactly what everyone here is hoping for. And they believe it’s possible.
For The Real News, reporting from Brazil, I’m Michael Fox.
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