In a conversation with American strategist Steve Bannon, former Chancellor Ernesto Araújo said this Tuesday (4) that the entire Brazilian political system —including the right-wing parties— is under the influence of China and what he called “narcosocialism “.
Bannon, who was an adviser to former US President Donald Trump, had asked in his “War Room” podcast whether Lula was linked to the Communist Party of China — Ernesto said he probably was.
Later, the former minister stated that the center — the “big center”, in his English language — is also affected by the Asian country. “Even some parties considered to be on the right are totally under the influence of Beijing,” Ernesto said, citing by name the Progressistas (PP) party.
The diplomat said that this Chinese penetration in Brazil affects political leaders in Congress, the Supreme Court, the economic elite and —”of course”— the press. There is also, according to the former minister, influence in the government of Jair Bolsonaro. “Basically they manage the flow of money into the country, and China feeds that flow. China thrives wherever there is corruption,” he said.
Ernesto was chancellor of Brazil from 2019 to 2021. He was part of the so-called ideological wing of the Bolsonaro government. His controversial management was marked by constant friction with China, Brazil’s biggest trading partner.
In March, amidst the storm of antagonisms with various political sectors and society, he left office. Since then, it has signaled displeasure with former allies. Recently, for example, he said that the Bolsonaro government had become a “base of the center”.
Participation in Bannon’s program on Tuesday feeds his public profile linked to far-right movements, of which the former Trump strategist is one of the most visible exponents in the US.
After advising the republican leader, Bannon has been throwing tentacles at like-minded politicians around the world — with a peculiar interest in Brazil, which contextualizes Ernesto’s participation. When saying goodbye to the former chancellor, promising to invite him again to talk, the American said that the “revelation” of Chinese penetration in Brazil was a very important story.
The “War Room” podcast is one of Bannon’s most powerful megaphones. The strategist stated that Trump himself follows the production, seen as a tool to expand his radical base. It was there that Bannon spread the conspiracy theories — without any factual basis — that the American elections in November had been rigged to get Joe Biden to win.
Such messages encouraged protesters to attack the Capitol on January 6, 2021, shocking the country. A year later, the United States is still dealing with the scars from that episode, which left at least five dead. Hundreds of people have already been formally charged with participating in the attack.
During the conversation of less than eight minutes, Ernesto focused his message on China. He said that the Asian country is present throughout Latin America, feeding on socialist systems.
In a warning tone, he cited the governments of Mexico, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru and Chile — for him, they are signs that there is a wave of the left on the continent. “Most countries are succumbing to socialism,” said the diplomat. In relation to this year’s elections, he said it is necessary to keep Brazil in conservatism. “We are the only hope against the penetration of narcosocialism in the region.”
.
