Daniela Martins

With an ambitious government and blessed with natural resources and new found markets, many believed that Brazil was set to be one of the most successful countries of the twenty first century. It hasn't turned out like that. Extraordinary corruption, an economic downturn, shocking rates of murder and widespread protests on the streets have led to a series of political crises which have seen governments thrown out and political leaders jailed.

With an ambitious government and blessed with natural resources and new found markets, many believed that Brazil was set to be one of the most successful countries of the twenty first century. It hasn't turned out like that. Extraordinary corruption, an economic downturn, shocking rates of murder and widespread protests on the streets have led to a series of political crises which have seen governments thrown out and political leaders jailed.