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Bojan Simić, PhD
Institute for Recent History of Serbia, Belgrade, Republic of Serbia

 

YUGOSLAV-BRAZILIAN RELATIONS 1961–1964

Vol. XLIV, 1/2026, pp. 147–162
https://doi.org/10.29362/ist20veka.2026.1.sim.147-162

 

ABSTRACT/RESUME:

A unique phase in the hi­story of re­la­ti­ons between Bra­zil and the socia­list Yugo­sla­via oc­cur­red between Fe­bru­ary 1961 and April 1964. Broader bi­la­te­ral and in­ter­na­ti­o­nal co­o­pe­ra­ti­on was ma­de pos­si­ble by the ascent to office of Pre­si­dent Ja­nio Quadros, who displayed a particular affinity for Yugoslavia and its leader, Josip Broz Tito. In ad­di­ti­on to be­ing the largest and most po­pu­lo­us country in La­tin Ame­ri­ca, Bra­zil was significant to the Yugo­slav le­a­ders­hip as a mo­del for smal­ler na­ti­ons in the re­gi­on. Even af­ter João Go­u­lart became pre­si­dent of Bra­zil in Sep­tem­ber 1961, the fa­vou­ra­ble trend in relations the two countries re­ma­i­ned unc­han­ged. Alt­ho­ugh, it fluctuated from year to year, the­re was a considerable level of eco­no­mic co­o­pe­ra­ti­on between the two countries du­ring this period. The sa­le of ships led to an increase in Yugo­slav exports to Bra­zil, which reached 2% of the to­tal Yugo­slav exports in 1962. However, exports were almost halved the following years. This decline resulted from several factors, including the limited range of goods offered by both sides, non-compliance with existing contracts that envisaged more frequent and extensive trade, and payment-related difficulties. The visits to Brazil by the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Koča Popović, and by President Tito were particular importance for the diplomatic and commercial relations of both countries. Pro­blems in the pre­vi­o­us eco­no­mic co­o­pe­ra­ti­on were identified, along with potential so­lu­ti­ons. The closeness of views on major international political issues – such as the struggle to preserve peace, the cessation of the arms ra­ce, the equal de­ve­lop­ment of all regions, and de­co­lo­ni­sa­ti­on – was emphasised. Nu­me­ro­us po­li­ti­cal, eco­no­mic, and party de­le­ga­ti­ons tra­ve­lled to Bra­zil and Yugo­sla­via during the period under consideration. A co­up dʼétat in Bra­zil in April 1964 brought about a change of go­vern­ment, replacing the left-wing Pre­si­dent Go­u­lart with a mi­li­tary jun­ta. In­ter­sta­te relations and cooperation in various fields reflected the shift in policy towards Yugoslavia that resulted from this political change. Although it may be argued that certain achievements were attained during the 1961–1964 pe­ri­od in several areas – such as an improved trade balance, frequent visits, and exchanges of views – the overall outcome fell short of Yugoslav expectations. With the change of regime in Brazil, these goals become permanently unattainable.

 

KEYWORDS: Yugo­sla­via, Bra­zil, Cold War, di­plo­macy, eco­no­mic re­la­ti­ons

 

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