Authors
Gianfranco Caterina1; 1 University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Brazil Discussion
This project aims to analyse the relations between the Soviet and Brazilian governments regarding economic and technical cooperation for the construction of a massive hydroelectric plant on the Paraná River between 1962 and 1964. In Brazil, the period is characterized by severe economic difficulties, political turmoil, and the deterioration of Goulart administration's ties with the United States. On the external front, there is an important initiative by President Goulart which is largely unknown by scholars. During a meeting with the Soviet ambassador in October 1962, the Brazilian President expressed his interest in a large-scale economic and technical cooperation with the USSR. Goulart mentioned the possibility of aid for the construction of a huge project in the country, similar to the Aswan hydroelectric plant - which was underway in Egypt with Soviet assistance. The talks dragged on over months with no decision in sight. The plant would be built at Salto de Sete Quedas on the Paraná River (where, later, the Itaipu plant would be built – the largest in the world when it was concluded). Using Russian, Brazilian, and American sources, this project seeks to understand why the initiative failed. If it had been successful, the joint venture would have a profound impact on the domestic and regional contexts, as well as on Brazil's relations with the USA. 
