A atuação internacional dos governos subnacionais brasileiros durante a pandemia da COVID-19: o caso da cidade de João Pessoa

Abstract

This article seeks to reflect on possibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic on local government actions, in particular on the possible international engagement of Brazilian subnational entities, with the city of João Pessoa as the object of study. The discussion is part of the existing tensions between the levels of government, and the lack of coordination of federated entities from the federal government. In addition to rescuing the city's internationalization trajectory, we provide an overview of the main actions and measures taken by the city during the pandemic, identifying the international initiatives carried out by João Pessoa during this period. The article questions whether the domestic context and the changes caused by the pandemic are a triggering factor for greater international activity by Brazilian subnational governments, under the hypothesis that the pandemic has caused significant changes in Brazilian paradiplomacy.