Rodrigo Maia, President of Brazil's Chamber of Deputies: "We still do not understand what Bolsonaro's plans are"

Rodrigo Maia He is a key figure of the Democratic Party (right-liberal) and, since the fall of Dilma Rousseff, chairs the Chamber of Deputies of Brazil.

He is allied with Jair Bolsonaro's government, but has a critical vision of its management. Maia challenges her educational policy, her international agenda and her political relations with Parliament. "We just want to understand what President Bolsonaro's plans are", he stressed during an exclusive report with Infobae.

-Jair Bolsonaro will have 100 days as President of Brazil, what is your political balance?

-C is a government in times of organization with a very clear agenda that needs to be turned into reality. There is a correct diagnosis about the financial crisis and the economic crisis, but now we have to go to Parliament.

– What do you think of the agenda of Ministries of Education and Foreign Affairs?

– These are agendas that have nothing to do with the history of Brazil and that cause much concern.

– There is some political tension between President Bolsonaro and Congress. How is this tension resolved between the two constitutional powers?

-There is a different understanding of the country's program between the executive and the legislature. We just want to understand what President Bolsonaro's plans are, we do not demand anything. To go forward, we need to understand the government agenda.

– You do not understand what President Bolsonaro wants to do?

-I do not have any personal problems with President Bolsonaro. That's the problem of President Bolsonaro with politics …

– Are you worried about Bolsonaro's diary with Israel?

– We must take care to adopt positions that are not part of our international historical position. Valuing the relationship with Israel is fundamental, but there are also our links with Palestine and the Arab world. If we want to get involved, we need to help.

-Do you worry that proximity to Israel complicates relations with the Arab world?

-I do not worry about advertising because it can be adjusted. What worries me is that I engage in a multi-year conflict and hurt ourselves. To participate, we must think of seeking the path of peace, not discord.

– In this context, does this not coincide with the diplomatic strategy of President Bolsonaro vis-à-vis China, Brazil's main trading partner?

– The distancing of the dialogue with China is already causing us a major loss in the soybean trade. And the same goes for the Arab world because we are losing the foreign trade of meat export. You must be very careful when implementing an international agenda.

After the bilateral meeting between President Bolsonaro and US President Donald Trump, the possibility of setting up an American military base in Brazil has been presented. What do you think?

– I have not seen the agreement, we must see the terms and we will evaluate them without prejudice. The United States has turned its back on us for many years and it is good that relations are close to each other. Trump has his eyes riveted on South America for Chinese trade … It's the right time to take advantage of foreign policy. But it is obvious that we can not be an instrument of the United States.

– Have you been surprised that President Bolsonaro has not visited Argentina yet?

Brazil and Argentina have a historical relationship. And this relationship should always be privileged. Argentina is a reliable ally, this must be a priority for our country.

– Then, President Bolsonaro made a diplomatic mistake to have not yet traveled to Argentina?

-I do not want to judge. It is necessary to make clear that Argentina is a priority ally of Brazil. From the ideological point of view, there are no differences between the two presidents: Mauricio Macri defends the liberal market like Bolsonaro. There is no excuse.

– Do you think that Mercosur should adapt its rules to the new international program?

-The Mercosur is important, but sometimes limits the action of Brazil and Argentina.

-As for the crisis in Venezuela, if interim President Juan Guaidó is arrested by Nicolás Maduro, would Brazil agree to endorse a US-led military invasion?

-Brasil has a constitutional construction that makes any intervention in another country difficult. And in the case of Venezuela, if this detention occurs, the institutional crisis will deepen.

-What do you think of the role of the United States in the Venezuelan crisis?

-The United States sent humanitarian aid and it was a mistake. We knew that Venezuela would not accept it and this created a conflict that was not ours. Any other international articulation must be diplomatic. The important thing is that democracy is restored in Venezuela. This must be the only goal.