I'm John Bess with my colleague and friend Evan Ellis, the professor of Latin American research at the U.S. Army War College. I told the professor I would start this

conversation with a quote from a man named Oscar Benavides. He was a dictator in

Peru 1933. And his quote is applicable to both Venezuela

and Brazil and perhaps other states in Latin America and elsewhere.

He said for my friends everything for my enemies the law.

News from Reuters.

Brazil, police investigate Bolsonaro's stay in February at Hungary embassy, this according to a source.

Following the revelation that Brazil is looking to indict former President Bolsonaro for vaccine

card fraud, also possibly move against former President Bolsonaro for plotting a coup with

military officials now who have now retired. Also there is reporting that they're moving against former President Bolsonaro's son for money laundering.

And most recently there was a report about moving against former President Bolson Harrow's vice presidential candidate for unknown allegations.

And again, I remind for my friends, everything, for my enemies, the law.

The law. Calling at law fair, however, doesn't tell the whole story. The puzzle here

week after week is why. Professor, the puzzle for me, being a logical person and not understanding the politics of Brazil at all,

is that Bolsonaro was defeated by Lula de Silva, who is now in his third term as president of Brazil,

meaning he controls the apparatus entirely.

Vulsinaro has been disenfranchised from running in the next cycle. entirely. run again and can be allowed to but constitutionally. And Bolsonaro remains in Brazil. He has not fled like Korea. He's sitting right there being harassed all the time by these allegations. But as of yet they haven't come to a

courtroom trial. So what is it that Lula de Silva is achieving keeping Bolsonaro

in the news? Thank you. Thank you, John. Well, it's not entirely clear what it is he is achieving.

Certainly there is significant damage that is gone on as this process plays out in Brazilians,

confidence in the electoral as well as the judicial system.

But as you also pointed out through that quote,

...