For the first time, two of the most important embassies for Brazilian foreign policy, Washington and Buenos Aires, must be headed by women. Maria Luiza Viotti, who was Brazil’s representative at the UN and chief of staff to the UN secretary general, António Guterres, should be the US ambassador.
For Argentina, the most quoted are Eugênia Barthelmess, now ambassador in Singapore and former director of South America at Itamaraty, and Gisela Padovan, former consul in Madrid. The hammer has not yet been beaten in relation to the name, but the decision to have a woman at the head of the embassy in the neighboring country has already been taken.
Another coveted position, head of the embassy in London, should be occupied by Antonio Patriota, who was chancellor in the Dilma Rousseff (PT) government and, before, ambassador in Washington.
Leading the representation in the British capital would be a disservice to Patriota, who was allocated in Egypt during the witch hunt carried out by former minister Ernesto Araújo at the Itamaraty. The position in Cairo is not considered strategic and, therefore, would not be up to par with a former minister.
The news about Viotti’s likely selection was anticipated by the Reuters news agency and confirmed by Sheet. Confirmation of nominations depends on the countries accepting the agrément requests (diplomatic document that indicates agreement by the host government) made by the Brazilian government for the ambassadors. The procedure is, with rare exceptions, only a formality.
Placing ambassadors at the head of crucial diplomatic representations for Brazil is in line with Chancellor Mauro Vieira’s promises to increase the number of women in leadership positions. Ambassador Maria Laura da Rocha was named secretary general of Itamaraty, the second highest position in the ministry’s hierarchy – it is also the first time that a woman has held the position.
There was pressure from women diplomats and sectors of the PT to choose a chancellor, but Vieira, very close to the former minister and current international adviser Celso Amorim, ended up being chosen.
After the nomination was announced, Maria Laura told Sheet: “We want having women in charge to be as normal as having men.” “We want to continue on this path, having many professionals at the top of their careers, more women in leadership positions. There will come a time when we will have a Minister of Foreign Affairs, it is inevitable.”
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.
