60 years since the 1964 coup in Brazil | Interview with Anderson da Silva Almeida

Abstract

Anderson da Silva Almeida, Associate Professor at the Federal University of Alagoas, addresses several issues related to the 60th anniversary of the 1964 coup and its repercussions in his interview. He highlights the importance of President Lula's speech, which seeks to rebuild bridges with the Armed Forces, avoiding issues such as the punishment of torturers. Almeida criticizes the dismantling of "Transitional Justice" initiatives in recent years, emphasizing that there are no prospects for progress in this area. Regarding the archives of the dictatorship, he points out that the interruption of projects such as Memórias Reveladas has affected research, making access to historical documents difficult. In the field of education, he observes that teaching about the dictatorship is superficial, often relegated to a module, and faces competing narratives, especially from the far right. He also highlights the growing militarization of Brazilian politics, evidenced by the presence of military personnel in civilian positions and the promotion of civic-military schools, which reinforce a culture of control and discipline. Almeida concludes that the past of the dictatorship still influences today's society, revealing the persistence of challenges related to memory and justice in Brazil.