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Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff took her battle against impeachment to the United Nations on Friday, warning the international community her country is suffering a "grave moment," while her critics said she wants to use the trip to rally support against what she calls a "coup," while Reuters said the impeachment process has paralyzed Brazil's government and thrown in into its worst political ciris in at least three decades.
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Rousseff could be removed from office within weeks by the Senate in an impeachment process linked to the Petrobras scandal in which she has never been mentioned nor is there any proof of her involvement.
Reuters wrote that the impeachment process has paralyzed her government and thrown Brazil into its deepest political crisis since its return to civilian rule in 1985.
Rousseff suffered a crushing defeat on Sunday when the lower house of Congress voted to impeach her, almost guaranteeing the leftist leader will be forced from office in a Senate trial just months before the nation hosts the Olympics.
The impeachment has polarized the country, with her supporters regarding the attempt to oust her for breaking budget laws as a "coup without weapons," while opponents — who have been targeted by a smear campaign and information manipulation lead by Brazil's right-wing media —say the process followed the law and the constitution.
The battle for the political narrative turned international on Friday, as Rousseff traveled to New York and her vice president gave interviews to two U.S. newspapers.
Speaking at the United Nations during the signing of the Paris Agreement on climate change, Rousseff said Brazil had overcome military dictatorship three decades ago and built a "vibrant democracy" that will prevail.
“I cannot conclude my remarks without mentioning the grave moment Brazil is currently undergoing," she said. "I have no doubt our people will be capable of preventing any setbacks."
If Rousseff is impeached by the Senate in a vote expected in mid-May, Rousseff will be suspended pending a trial and replaced by Vice President Michel Temer, who has exposed himself as being a top member of the right-wing impeachment process by accidentally releasing a presidential acceptance speech ahead of time. There is a call for his impeachment as well.
Despite the proof against him, Temer has denied Rousseff's accusations that he has openly plotted against her and rejects the notion that a "coup" is underway.
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