By Ricardo Junqueiro

Getúlio Vargas once said that Brazil fears nothing in the present, prides itself on the past and relies serenely on the future. It is very doubtful that the phrase maintains any type of actuality in the days that run.

Neither does the present allow us to dispel fears (on the contrary). Not even the recent past is particularly worthy of pride. Nor, much less, does the coming future inspire any confidence or admit any kind of serenity.