How a Brazilian meat tycoon accused of bribery and deforestation became a key player in regional diplomacy
Joesley Batista is credited as a major force behind the reconciliation between Trump and Luiz Inácio Lula da SilvaSix international airlines had suspended flights to Venezuela over the risk of possible US military strikes when an ultra-long-haul executive jet from São Paulo, Brazil, landed calmly...
<p>Joesley Batista is credited as a major force behind the reconciliation between Trump and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva</p><p>Six international airlines had suspended flights to Venezuela over the risk of possible US military strikes when an ultra-long-haul executive jet from São Paulo, Brazil, landed calmly in Caracas.</p><p>On board that flight on 23 November was the Brazilian meat tycoon Joesley Batista – twice jailed for corruption and whose companies have a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/17/revealed-worlds-largest-meat-company-jbs-may-break-amazon-deforestation-pledges-again">long record</a> of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/29/new-york-jbs-climate-lawsuit">environmental violations</a>. After a meeting with the Venezuelan dictator <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/nicolas-maduro">Nicolás Maduro</a>, he returned to Brazil the following day.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/16/joesley-batista-brazil-luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva-trump">Continue reading...</a>
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