IBOV 171,031.73 ▲ 1.85% IPSA 11,338.38 ▲ 0.89% IPC MEX 65,223.89 ▲ 1.36% MERVAL 2,913,184 ▲ 1.30% COLCAP 2,459.23 ▲ 0.61% BVL PERÚ 58,698.13 ▲ 2.60% USD/BRL5.14▼ 1.18% USD/MXN16.90▼ 0.36% USD/CLP914.28▼ 0.85% USD/COP3,038▼ 0.43% USD/PEN3.35▼ 0.06% USD/ARS1,499▲ 0.12% USD/UYU40.20▲ 1.58% USD/PYG5,996▲ 1.55% USD/BOB11.43▲ 0.41% USD/DOP58.82▲ 0.20% USD/CRC450.05▲ 3.34% USD/GTQ7.62▲ 2.21% USD/HNL26.81▲ 0.31% USD/NIO36.62▲ 0.61% USD/VES778.00▼ 0.13% USD/PAB1.00— 0.00% USD/BZD2.00— 0.00% USD/JMD 157.28 — 0.00% USD/TTD6.71▲ 0.79% EUR/BRL6.00▼ 0.64% BRENT 88.88 ▼ 0.03% WTI 83.11 ▼ 0.11% IRON ORE 161.91 — — COPPER 6.61 ▲ 0.03% GOLD 4,461 ▲ 1.78% SILVER 65.59 ▲ 1.26% SOY 1,184 ▲ 3.20% CORN 480.50 ▲ 10.02% WHEAT 655.00 ▲ 3.93% COFFEE 317.25 ▼ 5.51% SUGAR 16.43 ▼ 1.79% ORANGE JUICE 138.55 ▼ 0.47% COTTON 85.03 ▲ 2.33% COCOA 5,719 ▲ 3.18% BEEF 223.60 ▼ 3.93% CATTLE 339.10 ▼ 3.16% LITHIUM 75.20 ▲ 1.47% PETR4 41.64 ▼ 0.05% VALE3 72.97 ▲ 0.83% ITUB4 38.60 ▼ 1.03% BBDC4 16.85 ▲ 0.36% ABEV3 14.89 ▼ 0.80% BBAS3 19.37 ▲ 0.47% B3SA3 14.26 ▼ 0.21% WEGE3 47.59 ▲ 0.49% PRIO3 59.14 ▼ 0.19% SUZB3 41.33 ▲ 2.35% RENT3 34.68 ▼ 0.09% AZZA3 15.89 ▼ 2.63% CSAN3 3.22 ▼ 1.83% RAIZ4 0.25 — 0.00% PCAR3 2.75 ▼ 0.36% GMAT3 3.65 ▼ 1.08% PSSA3 48.13 ▼ 0.54% CVCB3 1.33 ▼ 2.92% POSI3 3.36 ▲ 2.44% SLCE3 13.34 ▲ 0.30% NATU3 8.14 ▼ 0.73% IBOV 171,031.73 ▲ 1.85% IPSA 11,338.38 ▲ 0.89% IPC MEX 65,223.89 ▲ 1.36% MERVAL 2,913,184 ▲ 1.30% COLCAP 2,459.23 ▲ 0.61% BVL PERÚ 58,698.13 ▲ 2.60% USD/BRL 5.16 ▲ 0.01% USD/MXN 17.06 ▼ 0.24% USD/CLP 913.98 ▲ 0.04% USD/COP 3,140 ▲ 0.03% USD/PEN 3.36 ▼ 0.66% USD/ARS 1,493 ▲ 0.10% USD/UYU 40.27 ▲ 1.24% USD/PYG 5,939 ▲ 1.68% USD/BOB 11.64 ▼ 0.76% USD/DOP 58.34 ▲ 1.25% USD/CRC 445.92 ▲ 0.89% USD/GTQ 7.62 ▲ 2.21% USD/HNL 26.79 ▲ 1.57% USD/NIO 36.62 ▲ 0.69% USD/VES 762.44 ▼ 0.13% USD/PAB 1.00 — 0.00% USD/BZD 2.00 — 0.00% USD/JMD 157.28 — 0.00% USD/TTD 6.70 ▲ 0.61% EUR/BRL 5.95 ▲ 1.01% BRENT 88.88 ▼ 0.03% WTI 83.11 ▼ 0.11% IRON ORE 161.91 — — COPPER 6.61 ▲ 0.03% GOLD 4,461 ▲ 1.78% SILVER 65.59 ▲ 1.26% SOY 1,184 ▲ 3.20% CORN 480.50 ▲ 10.02% WHEAT 655.00 ▲ 3.93% COFFEE 317.25 ▼ 5.51% SUGAR 16.43 ▼ 1.79% ORANGE JUICE 138.55 ▼ 0.47% COTTON 85.03 ▲ 2.33% COCOA 5,719 ▲ 3.18% BEEF 223.60 ▼ 3.93% CATTLE 339.10 ▼ 3.16% LITHIUM 75.20 ▲ 1.47% PETR4 41.64 ▼ 0.05% VALE3 72.97 ▲ 0.83% ITUB4 38.60 ▼ 1.03% BBDC4 16.85 ▲ 0.36% ABEV3 14.89 ▼ 0.80% BBAS3 19.37 ▲ 0.47% B3SA3 14.26 ▼ 0.21% WEGE3 47.59 ▲ 0.49% PRIO3 59.14 ▼ 0.19% SUZB3 41.33 ▲ 2.35% RENT3 34.68 ▼ 0.09% AZZA3 15.89 ▼ 2.63% CSAN3 3.22 ▼ 1.83% RAIZ4 0.25 — 0.00% PCAR3 2.75 ▼ 0.36% GMAT3 3.65 ▼ 1.08% PSSA3 48.13 ▼ 0.54% CVCB3 1.33 ▼ 2.92% POSI3 3.36 ▲ 2.44% SLCE3 13.34 ▲ 0.30% NATU3 8.14 ▼ 0.73%
since 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2026

Opinion: The Rising Influence of Brazil’s Wealthiest States

By · October 20, 2023 · 2 min read

Daily Brief

The morning intel from across Latin America. Free.

By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy. We never share your email.

(Opinion) Last Thursday, Brazil’s economic juggernauts, the Southern and Southeastern states, took decisive action.

They united to form the Cosud consortium. Let’s understand the weight of this. These regions produce 80% of Brazil’s industrial, financial, and service outputs.

Moreover, these states house 95% of Brazil’s millionaires and virtually all its billionaires. It’s more than mere numbers; it’s the heart of Brazil’s economic might.

Not only that, but conservative voters dominate these states. They dismiss ideologies and place trust in market freedom, innovation, and competition.

While some might minimize their role, it’s undeniable: Brazil’s momentum is fueled here. One should not be fooled into thinking it’s mere administration as they come together.

In Brazil, such unions inevitably orbit around power and influence.

Their recent meeting, the ninth for Cosud, was a game-changer. All member states, save for Rio de Janeiro, formally ratified governing laws.

The Rising Influence of Brazil's Wealthiest States. (Photo Internet reproduction)
The Rising Influence of Brazil’s Wealthiest States. (Photo Internet reproduction)
One-stop reference
Company Intelligence
Every listed company in Latin America — financials, ownership and structure for 1,450+ companies across 26 exchanges, in one place.
Browse the directory →
RT
Ask Rio Times
17 years of Latin America reporting, on demand.
Open the full Ask Rio Times →

It’s worth noting that Minas Gerais Governor Romeu Zema stirred the pot earlier in August.

He implied these affluent regions should naturally eclipse the economically fragile, leftist-driven North and Northeast states.

But at São Paulo’s inaugural event, the consensus was evident. Cosud isn’t here to play politics or overshadow others.

Or is it?

Cosud is Unique – The Rising Influence of Brazil’s Wealthiest States

Paraná Governor Ratinho Júnior spearheads this consortium. He firmly positioned Cosud’s mandate – to usher in modern, efficient governance.

Steering clear of earlier controversies, Romeu Zema emphasized Cosud’s unity and mutual growth mission.

The event was dynamic, a three-day whirlwind of discussions and dialogues. From public safety to environmental stances, the agenda aimed for cohesive strategies.

Heavyweights like São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas and Rio Grande do Sul Governor Eduardo Leite were in attendance, signaling the event’s significance.

Brazil has witnessed regional alliances, but Cosud is unique. It’s not just a collaboration; it’s a well-structured powerhouse.

This consortium might very well redefine inter-state collaboration in Brazil.

Cosud’s inception signals more than collaboration. It’s a potential game-changer in Brazil’s power landscape.

 

Read More from The Rio Times

The Rio Times · Power Map
See who really holds power in Latin America
Click to open the Power Map

Rotate for Best Experience

This report is optimized for landscape viewing. Rotate your phone for the full experience.