In the 1970s, President Ernesto Geisel set strategic goals for Brazil to achieve better economic indicators. It was necessary, from the point of view of his chief advisor, General Goalberi do Coto e Silva, to divide Mato Grosso do Sul into two states, which was done, apparently, to the satisfaction of both sides. Brazilian development is moving into the wet valleys of Maranhão, which the soybean people have achieved. The small state of Guanabara, which resulted from the change of capital from Rio de Janeiro to Brasilia in April 1960, was supposed to merge with the state of Rio de Janeiro, forming a larger state capable of generating more business and more wealth. At that time, fifty years ago, there was a fear among Rio’s residents that Rio’s politicians, known for their ability to handle complex issues, might end up influencing their new colleagues. It happened.
The first two items of the army’s strategy to boost the country’s economic growth have been fully compensated. Today, the two regions of Mato Grossus are the scene of enormous agricultural power. Agribusiness is the biggest winner in the Brazilian economy and a mainstay in the national trade balance figures. Maranhão, once a forgotten state in central-north Brazil, has seen an invasion of soy and corn producers, from south to north, and has become an important national partner in agribusiness. Embrapa bears great responsibility for this remarkable success.
Goiás was divided after the Constituent Assembly in 1988, thanks to the efforts of Rep. Siqueira Campos. He even went on a hunger strike to convince President José Sarney to sign laws that displeased one state with another and create Tocantins. The state that was built through private initiative is now self-governing and is also among the largest states in Brazilian agribusiness. In addition to soybeans and corn, livestock farming is very strong in these areas. The PT government attempted to divide the state of Pará into three distinct states. There was a strong backlash against the immigrants and the project was abandoned.
The history of mergers and divisions is a whirlwind in the history of ancient Guanabara, whose national anthem was the March of Cidade Maravillosa. When the merger came, the little country had a surplus in its accounts, and carried out the great work of Atero do Flamengo, under the government of Carlos Lacerda, obtaining its drinking water from the Guando River, in the lowlands of Rio de Janeiro. The time when the Santa Barbara and Rebucus tunnels were opened and the subway was planned. During this period, major road works were also planned, including the Barra da Tijuca project, with a plan by Lucio Costa. Good times in Rio. This is the only good side of this story.
The soldiers who left their positions in the suppression barracks used their war techniques to help create militias. These in turn were able to work with international drug trafficking, which was linked to organized prisoners and foreign leaders of the cocaine trade in South America. Something very strange resulted from this power. Rio de Janeiro, beautiful, beautiful, is getting smaller. It lost part of its Carnival to Bahia, and lost the stock market and Formula 1 to São Paulo. All that remains in Rio is the beach, football, the Maracana and widespread crime. Guanabara State was viewed as rich, advanced, and cosmopolitan, while Rio State was considered poor, rural, and backward. The reactionary has triumphed over the modern.
The arrest of the President of the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro, Rodrigo Baselar, completes the scenario. It is a picture of Avalhasao. He is accused of leaking secret information about the arrest of State Representative Thiago Raymundo dos Santos Silva, known as TH Goyas, who is accused of various crimes, including maintaining close contact with the Comando Vermelho. Bacellar is not the first member of the famous ALESP to be arrested. It won’t be the last. The confusion between private and public is well known. The best example comes from state governors: the last five were arrested for corruption.
From time to time, the police get excited and carry out intensive operations on the red and yellow lines, in addition to promoting shooting in neighboring towns. In the final operation, they killed 121 people, and injured an unknown number of people, but were welcomed by residents who approved of the killing. Governor Claudio Castro saw the poll results as better chances for his candidacy for the Senate of the Republic. Kariokas began to reshape her expectations. No one wants to spoil the good historical mood of the city’s residents. But it’s better to live without the constant threat of robbery, shooting, and death.
Andre Gustavo Stumpf, journalist) (andregustavo10@terra.com.br)