FOREIGN POLICY, DIPLOMACY AND GLOBAL HEALTH IN PANDEMIC TIMES: BRAZIL IN THE CONTERFLOW OF HISTORY

Abstract

This article analyses the international performance of Brazil related to the new coronavirus pandemic, taking into consideration the strategic role of foreign policy and the historic Brazilian diplomatic participation in multilateral forums, including global health. It analyzes how Brazilian foreign policy is responding to the main domestic and international challenges related to fighting the pandemic and the country's economic recovery, highlighting its social consequences. We start from the hypothesis that Brazil is acting far below the requirements and far below the country's prohibitions and diplomatic tradition. We conclude that beyond the detrimental effect on the international scene of global health governance, when denying science through systematic action and policies, the Brazilian government is responsible for exposing the population to avoidable deaths.