Democrats call on Biden to declassify documents on Brazil's dictatorship for 60th anniversary [View all]

BY LAURA KELLY THEHILL.COM
UPDATED APRIL 04, 2024 2:59 PM

A group of House Democrats is marking the 60th anniversary of Brazil's 1964 military coup by calling on President Biden to declassify U.S. government documents detailing atrocities and human rights abuses during the nation's more than two-decade military dictatorship.

Reps. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) and Susan Wild (D-Pa.) led more than a dozen colleagues in a letter to the president and Secretary of State Antony Blinken requesting that 13 specific documents be declassified in an effort to build stronger ties with Brazilian civil society.

"As the 60th anniversary of the military coup in Brazil approaches and we celebrate the bicentennial of U.S.-Brazil relations, we emphasize that transparency and historical understanding are crucial components of fostering strong international partnerships," the lawmakers wrote.

"As we strive to foster open dialogue and strengthen the ties between our nations, we believe that declassifying these documents will demonstrate our dedication to transparency, justice, and the advancement of democratic principles," they continued.

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