Malundo Kudiqueba
Portugal is experiencing a curious contradiction: it has never welcomed so many Brazilians — and never have so many Brazilians been so uncomfortable with the arrival of other Brazilians. The anti-immigration rhetoric no longer comes only from the Portuguese far right. Increasingly, it comes from the mouths of those who arrived recently, speaking with an accent from across the Atlantic, and who now, in a delusion of belonging, see themselves as more European than the Portuguese themselves.
There is an identity schizophrenia haunting the largest foreign community in Portugal. Brazilians now number over 400,000, making them the largest immigrant group in the country. They are present in all areas — from restaurants to universities, from beauty salons to tech companies. Many Brazilians mock others from their own country — “There’s no room for more Brazilians in Portugal,” “They’re ruining our reputation,” “They’re just coming to cause trouble.” The Brazilian who was an immigrant yesterday has now become a border guard with a diploma in arrogance.
Many of these Brazilians, especially supporters of Jair Bolsonaro, arrived in Europe full of moralism, imported conservatism, and an absurd desire for distinction and validation from the Portuguese — in the worst possible way. In Portugal, Bolsonarism wears a scarf, drinks Port wine, and thinks being white is a profession.
Curiously, those who complain about the “favelization” of neighbourhoods or the “invasion” of universities came for the same reasons: to escape violence, unemployment, corruption, and hopelessness. But they forgot quickly. Their new European status gave them an artificial sense of superiority. They feel entitled to judge those who arrive after them — as if immigration were an invisible queue they got in first and now want to shut the door behind them.
This hypocrisy is not new. It’s the old inferiority complex, disguised as reactionary patriotism. Many of these Brazilians in Portugal vote for the far right, share racist discourse, attack minorities, and still believe they are welcome just because they speak Portuguese — forgetting that prejudice speaks the same language too. The Bolsonaro-supporting Brazilian in Lisbon thinks he fled the “Brazilian left,” but in truth, he fled from himself.
Behind the anti-Brazilian discourse of many Brazilians lies jealousy, competition, and a desire for exclusivity. They want to be “the only ones in the village.” They can’t bear to see other Brazilians succeed.
Let’s be clear: the problem isn’t the number of Brazilians in Portugal. The problem is the number of Brazilians who can’t stand each other. Who can’t look at a compatriot with empathy. Who think being an immigrant is a privilege to be protected with invisible walls.
Portugal welcomed many. But it also became the stage for a silent war between brothers. And if the country is feeling this tension, it’s because a dirty mirror is being held up.
The worst enemy of the Brazilian in Portugal isn’t the Portuguese who hates foreigners. It’s the Brazilian himself. And I’ll say no more!
Birmingham, 17 June 2025
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