The following text was originally published on Patrícia Villela Marino’s LinkedIn page on April 22. My heart is in mourning. And also in prayer. A man who, even with the weight of Catholic tradition on his shoulders, walked as a brother alongside all who profess the Christian faith, is leaving us. Pope Francis has departed—and...
The following article, authored by Patrícia Villela Marino, was originally published in the newspaper O Globo on April 9. While a good portion of the Brazilian Parliament and public figures contort themselves in inflammatory rhetoric against the decriminalization of drugs, the numbers reveal an uncomfortable truth that penal populists prefer to ignore: organized crime in...
On this Three Kings’ Day, we shout out loud: Democracy is still here, and we stand with it! It was with deep civic emotion that my husband, Ricardo Villela Marino, and I embraced Fernanda Torres shortly after her award, alongside director Walter Salles and the cast of I’m Still Here, on this unforgettable night in...
Dear friends, On this Christmas Eve, I invite each of you to reflect on Christian love, citizenship, and Justice. The birth of Christ reminds us of His most sublime message: unconditional love, forgiveness, and the unwavering belief that everyone deserves a second chance. Today, the teams from Humanitas360 Institute and the social business Tereza are...
The following article, authored by Patrícia Villela Marino, was originally published in the Opinion section of the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo on December 14. On Monday, December 9, the President of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), Luís Roberto Barroso, mandated the compulsory use of body cameras by police officers in the State of...
The following article was originally published in Portuguese in the newspaper O Globo on November 25, 2024. The recent decision by Brazil’s Superior Court of Justice (STJ) to authorize the importation of seeds and the cultivation of hemp for medicinal purposes represents a milestone in the country’s drug policy. While this ruling opens doors for...
The following article was originally published in Portuguese in the newspaper O Globo on October 12, 2024. For whom has Brazil been a homeland? It may seem like a simple question, but any attempt to answer it honestly exposes some of the country’s deepest flaws. The etymology of “pátria” (Portuguese for “homeland”) suggests a connection...
Democracy and transparency As a citizen and as the president of an organization with deep ties to Venezuela, as is the case with Humanitas360 Institute, I cannot remain silent in the face of the ongoing deterioration of democracy in the country. From a personal standpoint, it is a painful situation, where I empathize with the...
The following article was originally published in Portuguese in the newspaper Folha de S. Paulo on April 12, 2024. Brazil has a sad tradition of public figures who, unable to present adequate solutions to the problems they should solve, resort to simple formulas and easy ways out. The strategy is used by administrators who prefer...
Approved by the Senate’s Constitution and Justice Committee on March 13, the proposed amendment to the Constitution that establishes the possession of drugs in any quantity as a crime is a legal setback, a political abomination and an enormous social risk. Confusing public opinion with prejudices and criminal punitiveness, the measure reinforces the worst instincts...