The Obama Caravan in Brazil: Business, Diplomacy and Teenagers

The Obamas have taken at least two trips to Brazil. The president’s subtext in this other insolent America is one of economic growth and political accomplishment. And a trip for the two Obama girls with their mother, grandmother and godmother. In the background was a declaration of war in Libya and school vacations. It is not easy to find oneself on this trip doing everything since President Dilma Rousseff herself had messages to pass on and an image to impose upon this neighbor, who still has difficulty understanding what Brazil has conquered as a new place in world order. Let’s try to follow them.

Upon arrival in Brasilia, the tone was set. Michelle in a sundress and the daughters in swimwear descended the gangway of Air Force One as if the president’s car was going to drop them off in front of a pool. Brasilia is still far from the sea. And 44 has quite a few things to do. For example:

Playing catch-up: Barack Obama initiated this trip, which gave him his first opportunity to meet Dilma Rousseff in her home country. He did not go to her inauguration (Jan. 1, 2011) when Hillary Clinton arrived late and left before everyone. Let’s be fair: Lula had been the first Latin American president to be received in March 2009 by Barack Obama.

Aircraft sales: We have done quite well, Madame! If France is having trouble selling its Rafale, the U.S. would not be in a bad place to sell the F/A-18, but nothing has happened so far.

Oil extraction: If the recent unsavory matter in the Gulf of Mexico is implicit publicity for the U.S., 44 promised Dilma Rousseff that the U.S. would be the best for extracting it — we discovered tons offshore of the Brazilian coasts — and then buying it back.

The 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics: The U.S. is the champion of infrastructure and can do anything.

A permanent seat at the United Nations: It’s a no. Even though Barack Obama himself had brought up this subject with his Indian host during his last official visit. And now alongside Michelle and her daughters, Robinson’s grandmother and godmother, they took the opportunity to …

See a “cleaned” shantytown near Cidade de Deus and pose with young people; listen to Michelle’s speech — still in a sundress (styled in an Indian fashion with one shoulder exposed) — before young people; and go shopping in a super modern, brand-new mall. And then, the Obamas angered the Cariocas: The city of Rio had invited the president onto the large esplanade “Cinelandia,” which goes just up to the beach. Security services belatedly denied this operation. And they transformed it into a private party for 800 handpicked guests invited to the opera, a bakery fashioned like Garnier. And then, the Cariocas knew that the Obamas did not like parties like they the ones they threw. What a shame!