The government of Getulio Vargas remained officially neutral and maintained its diplomatic relations with the government of the Republic. Large parts of Brazil’s political elites, however, did not hesitate to show their support for the rebels. Following a dubious policy, Vargas dissuaded his foreign minister, José Carlos de Macedo Soares, from acting on his intention to break relations with the Republic while, at the same time, helping the rebels by sending coffee to areas under their control. General Franco expressed his gratitude and promised to keep this assistance confidential.
Brazilian diplomacy in Spain was also affected by the conflict. Alcebíades Peçanha, Brazil’s ambassador in Madrid, was wounded in an attack and his private art collection was confiscated by Republican groups. At least two Brazilian consular officials were involved in espionage activities on behalf of the military rebels. And the precarious situation of the civilian population in Barcelona led Carlos da Silveira Martins Ramos, Brazil’s chargé d’affaires in the city, to use his own money to help dozens of Spanish children.
The Civil War in Spain also affected Brazilian society. Since the late 19th century, Brazil had received large number of Spanish immigrants. Part of this Spanish community, divided by regionalist tensions they had brought with them to Brazil, now found themselves divided by something else: political opinions and defence of the sides fighting in Spain.
Motivated by the mission of defending Spain from the Nazi-Fascist threat, 39 Brazilians volunteered to serve in the International Brigades. Most came from the army and had been active participants in the failed Communist revolt of 1935. But the implication of Brazil in the civil conflict in Spain went well beyond the presence of these citizens at the front. Ideological polarization was widespread in Brazilian society and caught the attention, above all, of those who identified with the political projects that were on the rise in Spain.
Renowned artists and intellectuals, such as Carlos Drummond de Andrade and Manuel Bandeira, used their poetry to offer unconditional support to the Republican cause. Other groups expressed their sympathy for the “Nationalists”. The Catholic Church and Brazilian Integralist Action sought to show that the Spanish conflict had been provoked by the Communists, and they constantly drew connected between events in Spain and the political situation at home.
