Since President Fernando Collor eased restrictions on imports in 1990 Brazil has become more open to trade.

ECONOMIST: Liberalism in Brazil

The new leader, Fernando Collor de Mello, had chosen as his finance minister the unrelated Zelia Cardoso de Mello, the first woman to occupy the post.

BBC: Will Cyprus go the South American way?

They included Fernando Collor, a former president forced out in 1992 over corruption allegations, who failed to make a comeback as governor of his home state of Alagoas.

ECONOMIST: Brazil's presidential election

Its members include Fernando Collor, a former president who resigned in 1992 while facing impeachment for corruption, and Marcelo Crivella, a bishop in the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, a Pentecostal outfit.

ECONOMIST: Brazil's Petrobras

Mr Pascoal's gang has been tied to a group in the north-eastern state of Alagoas allegedly associated with Augusto Farias, a congressman whose murdered brother ran the influence-peddling ring that led to the impeachment of Fernando Collor as Brazil's president in 1993.

ECONOMIST: Brazil