Less than a week before the end of his term, the government of President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) transferred BRL 4.6 billion to pay Brazil’s contributions with international organizations and the payment with global development banks.
The allocation of resources takes place after the team of President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) pointed out a billionaire debt with these bodies — and the consequent risk of losing the right to vote in these forums. According to the transition office, debts reached R$ 5.5 billion.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanks the Ministry of Economy and celebrates the allocation of R$ 4.6 billion for the payment of contributions to international organizations and payment with development banks”, informed the Itamaraty in a note this Monday (26 ).
The text also mentions that the Brazilian government “has spared no efforts to resolve the chronic irregularity of payments and the debt accumulated since previous periods”, in reference to Bolsonaro’s predecessors, and adds that the resources made available will make it possible to settle “almost all” of the Brazil debt.
The ordinance that released the funds was published on Friday (23) in the Official Gazette. Of the total amount, R$ 3.2 billion are earmarked for managing participation in national and international bodies and entities.
The remainder goes to other actions and organizations, including the Contribution to the Kyoto Protocol, the Organization of American States (OAS), Unesco (UN body for Education and Culture) and the Mercosur Parliament.
In a recent interview, members of the transition cabinet for the Planning, Budget and Management area presented a series of difficulties and problems detected in the x-ray of the situation of public resources. One of the items identified as worrying was the issue of defaults with international organizations.
The coordinator of the technical groups for the transition, Aloizio Mercadante, even mentioned a “scorched earth” scenario, saying that Brazil ran the risk of losing the right to vote in these organizations.
The final transition report stated that the debt “represents serious damage to the country’s image and its ability to act and severely compromises its foreign policy.”
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