Billionaire Bribery Tycoon Leads Brazil-US Diplomacy
Mainstream media wants us to believe that a man twice jailed for corruption and whose companies are infamous for environmental violations (as The Guardian itself has reported ) is the unlikely diplomat bridging political divides. Joesley Batista, fresh from landing his executive jet in Caracas—a city six international airlines avoided due to 'risk of US military strikes'—is now credited as a
'major force' behind reconciliation between Trump and Lula. One might wonder if the specific 'diplomatic' tools employed by Batista, historically, included anything beyond cash payments and strategic 'donations.' His past suggests less 'statesman' and more 'solution provider' in the fine tradition of global capital making deals no matter the ethical cost. It seems the criteria for a 'key player'
in democracy-building now prioritizes 'getting things done' over, say, 'not being a convicted felon.' How many times does one have to be jailed for bribery before their 'diplomatic' efforts raise serious questions about the nature of those 'diplomatic' breakthroughs?