Discovering South America: Brazil

Chronology

Collor resigns after being accused of corruption; he is replaced by Vice President Itamar Franco.

1992

Fernando Henrique Cardoso is elected president.

1994 1997

Brazil’s constitution is changed to allow the president to run for reelection, and Cardoso is elected the following year. Brazil marks its 500th anniversary, but indigenous Indians protest the celebrations, saying that the country has a history of injustice towards their population. The Brazilian government announces the end of a development program that critics say had a catastrophic impact on the Amazon. Leftist former union organizer Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva wins presidential election in a landslide; promises to fight hunger and create jobs through large public-works projects. In September, hundreds of politicians and government officials are accused of involvement in a major corruption scandal. Lula da Silva is reelected, despite corruption scandals in his Workers’ Party. Brazil’s Indian protection agency releases photographs of a previously unknown indigenous group living in the Amazon rainforest. Dilma Rousseff takes office as the first female president of Brazil. Between April and July, thousands of Brazilians participate in protests against high transportation prices and government corruption. During June and July, Brazil hosts the FIFA World Cup tournament. In October, Rousseff is re-elected as president, narrowly defeating Aécio Neves with 51 percent of the vote.

2000

2001

2002

2004

2006 2008

2011 2013

2014

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