Once an arid, hostile land, Brazil’s Central West is now an Eldorado for agribusiness. In just ten years, booming soybean and cattle exports have propelled the region to economic growth that outpaces the rest of the country. Accounting for a quarter of GDP, this sector has spawned a caste of ultra-rich individuals.
Goiânia, two hours from Brasilia, has become the “Brazilian Dubai”. Wealthy landowners, once conservative and reluctant to spend, are now discovering a taste for extravagance. In this city of 1.5 million inhabitants, luxury is everywhere: one Porsche is sold every day, Rolex watches have a four-year waiting list and prestigious residences feature private pools on every floor. This success is having an impact on culture. Sertanejo, Brazilian country music, glorifies farmers and their conservative values.
Politically, the region is a stronghold of the fazendeiros lobby, which defends gun liberalization, pesticide use, and opposition to the protection of the Amazon. A powerful and conservative new Brazil is emerging.
As the October 2026 presidential election approaches, Brazil’s evangelical churches are getting ready. This religious bloc, now a key political force, is reorganizing itself, identifying its kingmakers, selecting its future candidates, and preparing to regain political power.
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