As World Fixates on Olympic Games, Brazil’s Tensions Rise

FEATURING MARIA LUISA MENDONÇA – Social media feeds are filled with commentary on Olympics sports, athletes, and gold medal winners. However, Brazil, the host country of this year’s games, has been experiencing a political crisis for several months now.

President Dilma Rousseff is facing impeachment proceedings over alleged fiscal misdeeds by a conservative interim government that is chock full of people themselves accused of corruption and related crimes.

Additionally, issues of widespread poverty, public health, and bankruptcy are threatening to eclipse the games.

Maria Luisa Mendonça, director of Brazil’s Network for Social Justice and Human Rights, and a professor in international relations department at the University of Rio De Janeiro.