Guyana’s alignment with Brazil

May 2, 2026·4 min read

Dear Editor,

According to the book Non-Western Middle Powers in the Multipolar Order, “Brazil as a Middle Power Historically: If there can be a definition of what a ‘middle power’ is in the international system, Brazil highlights that what a ‘middle power’ is in the international system is complex and historically dependent, put such definitions to the test. In terms of geographic, economic, and military size, Brazil has always been an actor of consequence, depending on the frame of reference used to define it. Its land area of 3.3 million square miles and population of over 217 million people are each approximately half those of South America.

Brazil’s diversified, relatively technically advanced economy and Gross Domestic Product of $1.95 trillion is the largest in Latin America and 8th in the world, ahead of those major Asian states and such as Italy and Canada. Brazil has a capable combined arms military force including approximately 360,000 active -duty personnel, larger than the rest of its counterparts in South America combined, including its own arms and aerospace industries, as well as its domestic satellite program and space launch sites on its national territory. Until it was scuttled in 2023, Brazil’s military had the only aircraft carrier in the region. It has a civilian nuclear program and ambitions to develop a nuclear submarine. To the extent that Brazil has not nuclear arms and ballistic missiles to fire them its restraint from doing so reflects a choice about how to maintain its security, rather than the incapacity to do so.” (Hanna Samir Kassab and Natalie Ann Ghosn, Routledge)

Brazil is one of those countries that is viewed in the context as a ‘middle power” stated the World Economic Forum White Paper. “Middle power” shortly defines as those states that “sits below great powers but still exert influence over global politics meaning states with extensive diplomatic, economic, multilateral, and sometimes military clout.” Brazil is not only a middle power but multi-aligned especially in managing its geopolitics between the US and China in this pressured and chaotic multipolar world.

Brazil is also elevated not only as a rising hegemon next to the US in Latin America with the second largest military but also in the BRICS and G20. Oliver Stuenkel in his Belfer Center research paper, Multi-Alignment as Strategy: How Brazil Navigate between Washington, Beijing, and the Global South stated that Brazil in its activist foreign policy lead in the “challenging UN peace keeping mission in Haiti, proposed the ‘Responsibility while Protecting’ (RWP) concept for engagement during the military intervention in Libya, and seeking to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran in 2010.” At the same time Brazil is a member not only of BRICS and the G20 but IBSA which consists of India, Brazil and South Africa.

Brazil’s relationship with competing Great powers, the US and China are very important especially its stability but also “navigating the turbulent times”. Oliver Stuenkel’s research paper also stated that the United States is the second largest trading partner of Brazil and the largest single source of foreign direct investment. At the same time China is Brazil largest trading partner since 2009. “South – South cooperation” is very important for Brazil and this was seen in the early Lula and Rousseff Government. (https://www.belfercenter.org/research-analysis/multi-alignment-strategy-how-brazil-navigates-between-washington-beijing-and^[1]) Another historical moment for Brazil is the EU-Mercosur trade deal. As an elated and a President fighting for the poor President Lula of Brazil wrote on his X page “historic moment for Brazil and Mercosur.” The EU-Mercosur trade agreement was ratified by Brazil and signed by President Lula on Tuesday 28th of April.

Guyana’s close proximity and geographical border with Brazil is a cornerstone for Guyana South American Continental Destiny. Brazil is a superpower in its military and economic development given its large size and has an open relationship with Guyana.

Current effort to develop the physical infrastructure line between these two will benefit not only these two countries but the region as a whole. Given its geographical location Guyana forms the gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean and development if the infrastructure links will hasten the Continental integration.

According to UN Comtrade Database Guyana imports from Brazil US$304,475,795 while Guyana exports to Brazil is US$ 557,670,761. Brazil imports from Guyana is US$ 571,626,729 while Brazil exports to Guyana US$450,203,724. (https://comtradeplus.un.org/^[2] ) Guyana and Brazil have also signed security agreements as was stated in last year’s Ministry of Home Affairs update.

Further, the Guyana Defence Force website stated, “The Guyana Defense Force (GDF) and the Brazilian Army successfully conducted a series of joint mirrored patrols in the Takutu and Ireng Sectors, Region 9, enhancing coordinated border security and reinforcing the strong partnership between the two Forces.”

In conclusion, Guyana’s alignment with Brazil will facilitate its Continental Destiny in South America. Guyana is already an associate member of Mercosur and with strengthened relations with Brazil could facilitate it to a full membership.

Brazil’s history of rising to a “middle power” could be traced in the International System and Guyana can learn a lot from such experience. Guyana could also benefit from Brazil’s leadership in navigating both the stable and turbulent times of the geopolitics between competing Great Powers the US and China.

Yours Sincerely,
Sharmini Rampersaud

References

Multi-Alignment as Strategy: How Brazil Navigates Between Washington, Beijing, and the Global South (Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs) - Oliver Stuenkel

oliverstuenkel.com · 2025-11-20

Multi-Alignment as Strategy: How Brazil Navigates Between Washington, Beijing, and the Global South (Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs) - Oliver Stuenkel [...] ## Multi-Alignment as Strategy: How Brazil Navigates Between Washington, Beijing, and the Global South (Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs) [...] 20/11/2025 [...] Brazil’s Role and Importance as a Middle Power Brazil’s national anthem declares the country “a giant by nature.” Brazilian politicians, diplomats, and pundits further this narrative, arguing that the country’s influence stems not merely from its actions but from inherent characteristics, such as its size, population, and natural resources. This self-perception helps explain why many Brazilian policymakers are skeptical of the label “middle power.”1With 211 million inhabitants, Brazil is the world’s sixth most populous and the fifth-largest country. Its sheer size has long fueled a persistent belief among its political elites that it deserves to be seen as more than just a middle power. [...] This produces a continuous tension not only between Brazil’s foreign policy ambitions and its influence but also between its self-perception and the way others see and treat it. It also explains, to some extent, why Brazil was initially so enthusiastic about the emergence of the BRICS grouping (which originally consisted of Brazil, Russia, India, and China and expanded to include South Africa in 2010), as it implicitly equated the country’s standing to larger powers included in the group.2 [...] Brazil’s long-standing official narrative of being an “emerging power” and a resource-rich “country of the future” gained momentum during the first decade of the 21st century thanks to high economic growth, fueled by Chinese demand for commodities, and significant progress in poverty reduction. China became Brazil’s primary trade partner in 2009, a relationship that has only deepened in the 15 years since, pushing the United States to second place. The commodity boom and expanding markets also helped Brazil recover faster than other countries from the global financial crisis. [...] ## Especialista em risco geopolítico para lideranças empresariais e equipes de multinacionais [...] Oliver Della Costa Stuenkel é professor de Relações Internacionais na Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) em São Paulo, Senior Fellow no Carnegie Endowment em Washington DC e Visiting Scholar na Harvard Kennedy School. Sua pesquisa concentra-se em geopolítica e ordem global, política externa brasileira, política latino-americana e potências emergentes. É autor de diversos livros sobre geopolítica, incluindo The BRICS and the Future of Global Order e Post-Western World: How Emerging Powers Are Remaking Global Order. É também colunista da revista Foreign Policy e do Estadão.

Source

Guyana’s alignment with Brazil will facilitate its Continental Destiny in South America in Kaieteur News, May 2, 2026

Multi-Alignment as Strategy: How Brazil Navigates Between ...

www.belfercenter.org · 2025-11-20

While Brazilian policymakers do not necessarily endorse or embrace the idea that the country is a middle power, applying the concept to Brazil can be analytically useful, as it helps reveal comparative opportunities and risks in the current order. This is especially true vis-à-vis the debate about how Brazil should navigate an increasingly intense and turbulent U.S.-China competition and preserve its economic, diplomatic, and technological ties to both powers. For now, multi-alignment means preserving security ties with the United States while maintaining strong ties to China in key areas such as 5G technology, renewable energy, and electric cars. [...] Brasília’s relationship with Washington presents both opportunities and constraints. The United States remains Brazil’s second-largest trading partner and the largest single source of foreign direct investment. The majority of Brazil's population views the United States favorably — though views became more negative in [...] Still, numerous Brazilian leaders throughout history have attempted to forge closer ties to the United States. Brazil was designated a major non-NATO ally in 2019, and the economic relationship is highly diversified. When Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, Brazil largely sought to “fly below the radar” and avoid antagonizing Washington, a strategy that left Brazil ill-prepared for the sudden crisis unleashed by Trump’s surprise tariffs. [...] Prior to Trump, Brazil’s interest in maintaining a stable yet independent relationship with the United States reflected its broader foreign policy principle of avoiding entanglement in the strategic priorities of great powers. Recent U.S. administrations had shown renewed interest in partnering with Brazil on issues like climate change and renewable energy — areas where Brazil seeks recognition as a global leader, through initiatives like the Amazon Fund, a mechanism created in 2008 and financed mainly by Norway and Germany to support projects that prevent deforestation and promote sustainable development in the Brazilian Amazon. However, Brazil’s reluctance to unequivocally align with Washington, particularly during contentious geopolitical crises such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and China’s rise, revealed the limitations of the relationship. Furthermore, the lack of progress on more ambitious projects of bilateral cooperation (such as free trade) or addressing the region's most complex challenges (such as the crisis in Venezuela) explain why the bilateral relationship has been described as a “long road of unmet expectations.” [...] Brazil’s foreign policy toward China has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past few decades, with Beijing emerging as a pivotal player in Brazil’s economic landscape and its largest trading partner since 2009. Brazil’s exports of soybeans, iron ore, and oil have become critical to China’s industrial growth and food security, while Chinese investments in Brazilian infrastructure, energy, and technology have further integrated the two economies. Beijing has funded projects such as port modernizations and energy partnerships, underscoring its interest in ensuring a stable flow of raw materials while providing Brazil with much-needed infrastructure upgrades. [...] The political dimension of Brazil-China ties is equally significant. Through platforms like BRICS, Brazil and China have found common ground in advocating for a more multipolar world and reforming global governance structures. Their collaboration on development financing, particularly through the New Development Bank, has offered Brazil an alternative to Western-dominated financial institutions. For Beijing, Brazil represents not only a key partner in Latin America but also a strategic gateway to the Global South. By fostering ties with Brasília, China strengthens its influence in multilateral forums and counters Western dominance. [...] areas, Brazil

GDF, Brazilian Army conduct joint mirrored patrols in Takutu & Ireng - INews Guyana

inewsguyana.com · 2025-11-21

GDF, Brazilian Army conduct joint mirrored patrols in Takutu & Ireng - INews Guyana [...] Home Crime & Security GDF, Brazilian Army conduct joint mirrored patrols in Takutu & Ireng [...] The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Brazilian Army successfully conducted a series of joint mirrored patrols in the Takutu and Ireng Sectors, Region 9, enhancing coordinated border security and reinforcing the strong partnership between the two Forces. [...] On Thursday 13 November 2025, a command group from both militaries met where planning discussions were held for joint operation activities. This engagement initiated a combined operation involving air, mobile and motorized patrols in Bonfim and Normandia in Brazil and in Kanapang and Chiung within Guyana’s Upper Takutu Essequibo region. [...] During the joint patrols, several locations identified through intelligence monitoring for suspected cross border and environmental illicit activities were examined and assessed. As part of the wider security effort, the GDF supported the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission in an operation targeting illegal mining in the Ireng Sector. [...] This activity was coordinated with the Brazilian Army, which conducted a parallel operation on its side of the border. Illegal equipment discovered during the mission was seized, disabled and destroyed, with affected communities in the area expressing strong support for the intervention. [...] At the conclusion of the operation, the Commander of the Brazilian Army’s 2nd Jungle Infantry Company visited the GDF military facilities in Lethem, while Commander of the Takutu River Base, Lieutenant Philipe Delmiro was hosted at the 1st Special Border Platoon in Bonfim. Both visits featured professional exchanges, interaction between ranks, and the customary presentation of tokens. [...] Additionally, a follow on visit was conducted to the 1st Special Border Platoon in Bonfim by Staff Officer Three Operations of the 3 Infantry Battalion, Captain Lawrence King, and Second in Command of the GDF Border Detachment in Lethem, Sergeant Delbert Joseph. [...] The joint activities reaffirmed the commitment of the GDF and the Brazilian Army to deepening bilateral cooperation, strengthening border security, and safeguarding the wellbeing of communities along the Takutu and Ireng frontiers.

Guyana’s alignment with Brazil — Sharmini Rampersaud — Opinion