Brazilians views of U.S. rebound as wounds of NSA scandal heal
While overall views of the U.S. and Obama have rebounded, such is not the case when Brazilians are asked if the U.S. respects the personal freedoms of its citizens. Brazilians' opinions of the U.S. on that issue took an especially large dive after the spying revelations, and they have not yet regained their confidence in the U.S. In 2013, 76% of Brazilians felt the American government respected the personal freedoms of its people. In just one year, this sentiment decreased 25 percentage points in 2014, to 51%. Today, 58% of Brazilians say the U.S. respects individual liberties, a slightly larger share than last year but still well below 2013 opinions. About a third (34%) say the U.S. government does not respect the personal freedoms of its citizens.
The NSA's data surveillance programs undoubtedly played a large role in Brazil's sour opinions of the U.S. When asked whether they found it suitable for the American government to monitor the communications of Brazil's leaders, more than eight-in-ten Brazilians (83%) said this practice was unacceptable. Brazilians also voiced strong opposition to monitoring American citizens (84% unacceptable) and Brazilian citizens (94%).
