Brazil’s Political Crisis Takes a New Turn

A demonstrator calls for the impeachment of Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff and protest the naming of her mentor, former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, as her new chief of staff outside the Sao Paulo’s Industries Federation, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Thursday, March 17, 2016.
A demonstrator calls for the impeachment of Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff and protest the naming of her mentor, former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, as her new chief of staff outside the Sao Paulo's Industries Federation, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Thursday, March 17, 2016. Andre Penner / AP Photo
A demonstrator calls for the impeachment of Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff and protest the naming of her mentor, former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, as her new chief of staff outside the Sao Paulo’s Industries Federation, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Thursday, March 17, 2016.
A demonstrator calls for the impeachment of Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff and protest the naming of her mentor, former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, as her new chief of staff outside the Sao Paulo's Industries Federation, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Thursday, March 17, 2016. Andre Penner / AP Photo

Brazil’s Political Crisis Takes a New Turn

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Protests have erupted throughout Brazil as the country’s top political leaders face a growing corruption scandal. Tens of thousands have called for President Dilma Rousseff to resign.

Earlier this week Brazil’s former president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is also under investigation for corruption and money laundering, accepted a position as the new chief of staff for President Dilma Rousseff. Brazilian law shields members of cabinet from prosecution by federal judges. President Rousseff denies this is the reason she selected him. Now a judge has blocked the appointment. 

We dig into the unfolding political crisis with Marcelo Jarmendia, the founder and director of Brazil in Chicago. He’s currently in Sao Paolo.