Brazil's Main Issues By: Kate Sharkey, Nia Thompson, Jordan Carey

Thesis Brazil is an amazing country but it is held back by some main issues, such as the violence that is tormenting the country, the corruption of the government, and the corrupt oil companies.

Is there really corrpution in Brazil Petrobras is Brazil’s leading Oil Company and is the eighth largest company in the world Petrobras was founded in 1953, making it one of the oldest National Oil Companies. Currently, the Brazilian government owns 64% of Petrobras and over 400 other entities own other shares. When Petrobras celebrated their 50 th anniversary, the management noted that they now produce 2 million barrels of oil per day and this is comparable with major oil companies around the world Brazil has been known for its high levels of crime, violence and corruption. However, many writers have suggested that with the high employment which many citizens find with Petrobras, there has been a decrease in criminal activity because many people now have work and legal ways and means to provide for their families.

Is there really corrpution in Brazil Petrobras is Brazil’s leading Oil Company and is the eighth largest company in the world Petrobras was founded in 1953, making it one of the oldest National Oil Companies. Currently, the Brazilian government owns 64% of Petrobras and over 400 other entities own other shares. When Petrobras celebrated their 50 th anniversary, the management noted that they now produce 2 million barrels of oil per day and this is comparable with major oil companies around the world Brazil has been known for its high levels of crime, violence and corruption. However, many writers have suggested that with the high employment which many citizens find with Petrobras, there has been a decrease in criminal activity because many people now have work and legal ways and means to provide for their families.

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Corruption in the Government 2010 Brazil Election – Dilma Rousseff became the new president She was only voted by the people because of her supporter, Lula (the previous president) “I’m voting for Dilma, of course, but the truth is it will be Lula who will lead us.” “It’s going to be the third term for Lula – except this time represented by a woman. (Phillips, Tom)

8 Dilma Rousseff Lula da Silva 8

Violence in Brazil Violence is taking a very negative effect on Brazil and the hundreds of innocent people being hurt by gang violence that is tormenting the streets of Brazil. The violence is becoming very out of control that some schools and businesses had to close because of it. In a shooting massacre in Brazil 12 students died and many were injured. Brazil has the most deaths by fire-arms in the world. Gangs blocked highways in Brazil, they burned vehicles and hurt random civilians. Officials are scared that the violence will continue and Brazil will be run by the gangs like the drug cartel in Mexico.

Violence is affecting the economy Brazil is a BRIC country and the economy is rising very rapidly but if it were not for the violence it would be rising even faster. Taxes are being raised so that the army can send in more soldiers. Brazil can not retain this large taxe, because Brazil is a poverty stricken country with 1/3 of the country living in favelas (favelas are poor areas in Brazil with a lot of prostitution, drug dealers, and homeless people) The country might not be able to safely host the 2016 World Olympics due to violence. Sergio Cabral the governor said"What they want to do is create panic for society to retreat but we will not retreat".

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