Foreign minister downplays WHO
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ernesto Araújo criticized what he sees as "the vilification of those who do not defend full confinement" to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus. For him, the World Health Organization (WHO) should not be seen as a "sacrosanct institution, as if we had to follow all of its preaching."
Speaking by phone from his home, where he has been working for the past few days, Mr. Araújo said the top priority of Itamaraty, as the Brazilian foreign service is known, is to repatriate another 7,000 Brazilian citizens still held abroad. There are advanced negotiations to bring, on charter flights, about 50 people who are in Mexico and almost 500 in South Africa. Read below the main excerpts from the interview:
Valor: How is the operation led by Itamaraty working to repatriate Brazilians stranded abroad?
Ernesto Araújo: The repatriation of Brazilians is our absolute priority, at Itamaraty, of course, often by working together with the FAB [Brazilian Air Force] or the Ministry of Tourism and Embratur [tourism promotion agency]. We have already managed to bring back 8,600 Brazilians. That is the latest tally. Numerically, it is something significant, we celebrate every flight we get. We have now brought 149 from Ecuador. But as long as there is one person, we will be concerned.
Valor: How many still need to be rescued?
Araújo: We are working with the need to repatriate an additional 7,000 Brazilians. They are in 50 to 60 countries. In the very short term, we are in advanced stages for those in Mexico and South Africa. There are about 50 people in Mexico, and we are calculating almost 500 in South Africa. In both, we are working with the prospect of securing charter flights. South Africa is totally closed, in total lockdown, it does not even allow domestic travel. We are negotiating for authorization.
Valor: And in Portugal?
Mr. Araújo: Portugal is perhaps the country with the largest number of Brazilian citizens having difficulties returning. There are about 1,700. With commercial flights still operated by the airlines, we are calculating that almost everyone will be able to return by April 3. For those we cannot do so, we will look into securing charter flights.
Valor: Wouldn't it be possible to set a deadline for the repatriation of everyone? How about using the FAB, with Hercules planes, for the most complicated cases?
Mr. Araújo: The operation in Cusco [using Hercules planes] was very good, but the FAB is overburdened...
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