BREAKING NEWS
We come to you direct from the gallery in the palace São Cristóvão, where a heated exchange between the two leading South American delegations, Brazil's foreign minister, Juvenal Mourão, against Peru-Bolivia's President Mariano Enrique Calvo Cuéllar, occurred.
Also in attendance were delegates from Venezuela, Chile, Central America, and Spain.
The discussions began amicably as Brazil welcomed individual speakers to state their claims.
Two themes emerged amidst the discussion:
- Spain's role in reinstituting its influence on the region, and the significant backlash from the Central American, Venezuelan, and Chilean delegation.
- Peru-Bolivia's refusal to negotiate with the Brazilian delegation, solving the only stated claims of the conference.
This is an emerging story, subject to change, please write to us directly should you have perspective corroborating this story
On spain's role in the americas
Potentially the most surprising element of the conference. Spain began its involvement in the conference by sending General Ramón María Narváez, explicitly to stake a claim in the Americas, quote:
Ramón María Narváez supports the Spanish-Bolivian of Mariano Enrique Calvo Cuéllar, saying that any change to the pre-Napoleonic colonial borders, that Spain still recognizes, will not be supported by Spain, changes between those colonies will however not be something that Spain interferes in as longs as a balance remains while the American question is still being posed in Spain.
- Ramón María Narváez, Spanish General
Justifiably, nearly all the representatives met Spain's referral to the many sovereign republics of South America with immediate hostility
"Look no further than this very hall, where a representative of Spain speaks and tells us plainly that we are not seen as sovereign states, with the exception of our host"
- Máximo Barahona, Central-American Foreign Minister
"We must act with resolve to ensure that no great European power, pursuing colonial ambitions, preempts the nations of this continent and establishes an enclave in our southern waters, thereby threatening the independence for which the American republics fought so dearly" - Chilean Delegation
Peru-Bolivia, notably, withheld criticism toward Spain. We asked a member of Brazil's foreign policy community for commentary, here is what Francisco Sabino had to say:
"It is an outrage, truly. Every American should be outraged at this clear act of colonialist expansion. I feel for the peoples of Peru who may see their chances at self-determination vanquished by a power that caters to the old colonialists of Europe. La Paz is simply the beginnings of a South American Reconquista by Madrid" - Francisco Sabino, Entourage of Juvenal Mourão during their travels to Chopin's Concerto
ON PERU-BOLIVIA
Brazil's foreign minister brought forth their claims against La Paz, territorial disputes in the Amazonas region, and a proposed purchase of the lands, at a markup, as a way to settle any remaining disputes between the two rising middle powers of the Americas.
What happened next would collapse any reasonable discussion between the delegation's attendees.
Bolivia, seemingly offended at even the mention of territorial exchange, accused Brazil of extortion and banditry.
"To the honourable Mourao, I ask of you: how is this not a shakedown?"
"Brazil flagrantly disregards common sense, even still"
"I am offended on behalf of my nation that Brasil relies on the tactics of common bandits, rather than conducting herself as a civilized nation of Europeans"
"Any diplomacy with the Emperor is off the table, seeing as it would serve to prove the common, Mestizo national character of Brazil"
- President Mariano Enrique Calvo Cuéllar
Amidst insults and bigotry, Peru-Bolivia insisted Brazil pay a hefty sum as reparations for its own insults thrown toward Peru-Bolivia's way. Editors at Jornal do Comércio have combed through transcripts of the discussion and have yet to find any evidence of mudslinging, name-calling, or otherwise verbal abuse from any of the members of the conference, save for President Calvo Cuéllar, himself.
"While rich Aristocrats argue over a few miles of wet, uninhabitable rainforest, the peoples of Peru have found a renewed sense of hope in the wake of this conference. We have heard tales at the Battle of Socabaya, of Salaverry's defeat at the hands of a German war minister. Where can the Peruvians go for help but Brazil?"
- Francisco Sabino, Entourage of Juvenal Mourão during their travels to Chopin's Concerto
Brazil has found solidarity amongst the Texan Republic, the only other power with any arguments made against Peru-Bolivia, despite what you see above.
"This Conference is a sincere effort by the Brazilian crown to facilitate an amicable, and co-operative resolution to these border disputes, including those that mire Peru-Bolivia; all without risking a destabilization of the union between them through armed conflict."
-Mirabeau Lamar, Texan Secretary of War
Negotiations ended without firm direction from neither La Paz, nor Rio. But based on the language of the discussion alone, Brazil intends to fight for the claims staked in the conference, and to secure the Peruvian State's independence from the Bolivian throne. Options were left open for Bolivia, God only knows if they will come to reason.
Editor's note: In agreement with Mr. Sabino, and to be able to quote him directly for this article, we are required to state that the Empire of Brazil is host to ~1.1M slaves of African origin, which constitutes ~24.8% of Brazil's total population. Jornal do Comércio does not take an explicit stance on the issues of slavery.
