RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – President Jair Bolsonaro has formalized the nomination of diplomat Nestor José Forster Junior for the position of ambassador of Brazil to the United States of America. The announcement submitting Foster’s name to the Federal Senate was published in the Federal Gazette (DOU) on Tuesday, November 26th.
A few months ago, Foster’s appointment to the position was taken for granted by members of Itamaraty (Brazil’s Foreign Office). In June, he was promoted to the top of his career path precisely in order to take up the position. A month later, however, diplomats were surprised by the possibility of Bolsonaro appointing his son, federal deputy, Eduardo Bolsonaro.
The president eventually earned the approval of the US government but faced difficulties in confirming his son’s name in the Senate. The crisis within the PSL party further contributed to reducing Eduardo’s chances. As a result, during his trip to Japan in October, Bolsonaro signaled that he could appoint the diplomat to the post in case Eduardo withdrew his request for the position. Ultimately, Eduardo decided to remain in the leadership of PSL in the Chamber rather than become Ambassador.
Forster has already had his nomination approved by the US government. According to O Estado de S. Paulo’s report in October, while Brasília was debating Eduardo’s appointment, Forster was at work in Washington as an ambassador-in-waiting. He has been specializing in North America and particularly in the US, having held five different positions in the country and one in Canada.
In order to take over the embassy, Forster will be required to undergo Senate review and will need to have his nomination approved in a committee as well as the full Senate.