The paper explores the evolution of the bilateral relations between Brazil and Suriname during the 1980s, especially with the so-called Venturini mission to Suriname. The text uses original documents from two Brazilian archives. The article shows that the main goals of Figueiredo's administration with respect to Suriname were fulfilled, especially concerning the avoidance of an East-West conflict in the sensitive north frontier of the country and in the Amazon region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Bishop, Matthew Louis, Clegg, Peter, and Hoefte, Rosemarijn
Subjects
BRAZILIAN foreign relations, 1985-, REGIONALISM (International organization), SMALL states, INTERNATIONAL relations
Abstract
Regional and hemispheric reconfigurations in Latin America and the Caribbean are increasingly mediated by Brazilian power, and the engagement of Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana with this emerging context is intriguing. They are tentatively moving away from a Caribbean region with which they are culturally contiguous, towards a South American continent in which they are geographically located. This is partly a reflection of the gradual opening up of the Northern Amazonian space that they share collectively, and also with Venezuela and Brazil. These processes are occurring as cause and effect of Brazil’s emergence as a regional – and even regionally hegemonic – power. With reference to wider debates on regionalism and hegemony, we analyse the uncertain consequences of these shifts. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]