The image that a leader projects, including his clothing, is an extremely important resource for politicians. Be it the formal (Western) male suit, the Maoist tunic, the Arab thobe or the Indian kurta, throughout history political leaders have worn certain garments with the implicit or explicit purpose of constructing and conveying a transcendent image.
The same goes for the guayabera, as it is known, a very popular type of shirt used in the Caribbean region and surroundings, from Florida in the United States to northern Bolivia, and from the Mexican and Ecuadorian Pacific to the Canary Islands (Spain).
Guayabera is used in high-level political and social gatherings, mainly in tropical regions. This has been incorporated into the aesthetics of numerous Latin American and Caribbean leaders from the most diverse political and ideological orientations, including liberals, progressives and conservatives. Likewise, when using it at high-level international events, leaders and diplomats try to convey a particular identity. In academic terms, all of the above is linked to the concept of soft power.
Although the guayabera is not a commonly worn garment in Brazil, there is no doubt that it is part of the attire of President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. It so happens that, at least from the 1990s until the recent election campaign, the veteran Brazilian politician notoriously used his extensive collection of guayaberas, even when exercising suffrage in the second round.
In hindsight, Lula’s guayaberas project an image of consistent, reliable, cordial and differentiated leadership. But, in addition, the use of an unmistakably Latin American costume conveys the personal, party-political and civilizing commitment of Lula’s future government to the set of countries on the continent.
Contrary to what was observed during the outgoing government of Jair Bolsonaro, it is very likely that the future Brazilian president will move towards a complete review of the Latin American policy of the government in Brasilia. This seems to be more than necessary, given the clear depreciation of the South American giant’s relations with most of its neighbors, whether in bilateral and multilateral terms, or in sectoral issues of the regional agenda (especially in matters such as democracy, human rights , economic integration, environment, international development cooperation, international security and contemporary strategic issues).
Brazil’s abrupt withdrawal from CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) in 2019 is one of the most evident examples of Bolsonarist policy. The participation of the government of Brasília was also scarce in other political-diplomatic, economic, environmental and cultural forums, such as the Union of South American Nations, the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries, the Common Market of the South, the Treaty Organization of Amazonian Cooperation and the Ibero-American Community.
Therefore, the main prospective scenarios available suggest that, as of January 2023, Lula and his government will work in favor of a renewed reinsertion of Brazil in Latin America’s international relations. There is no doubt that such recomposition of Brazil’s bilateral, multilateral or sectoral relations with its neighbors will be positive, constructive and proactive.
Although very efficient in defending his national interests, for more than four decades the PT leader has demonstrated a deep appreciation, knowledge and dialogue with political, social, economic and cultural leaders of almost all neighboring countries. This is the parable of “dressing the guayabera”, in the sense of formulating and implementing a much more pragmatic, republican and consistent foreign policy for the Latin American and Caribbean region, without forgetting that this is a constitutional mandate for the Brazilian authorities.
Judging by the first reactions of political leaders from neighboring countries to Lula’s victory, dialogue with most governments (including the United States and Canada) will be fluid and coherent. This is even more timely given that the current hemispheric and global agenda presents many issues that could benefit from Brazil’s political-diplomatic repositioning. These range from climate and food security aspects, through the difficult socio-political situation in Haiti, Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua, to regional developments due to the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Other topics in which Brazil’s role would be fundamental are those related to international security matters, economic integration (including the association agreement between Mercosur and the European Union), relations with extra-regional actors (China, India, Turkey, South Africa, South), migratory and refugee flows, as well as socio-cultural and consular aspects.
In short, beyond the merely aesthetic, political identity or image that the future Brazilian president intends to continue transmitting through his collection of guayaberas, it seems unquestionable that Lula and his government will seek to advance towards a reunion with their Latin American neighbors. In this sense, “wearing the guayabera” implies a renewed commitment aimed at building a common future and an international order of free peoples.
*Translation from Spanish by Giulia Gaspar.
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
