The French and Dutch attempted to establish colonies but were expelled. In 1808, Napoleon captured Lisbon and the royal family fled to Brazil. Rio de Janeiro became the seat of the Portuguese Empire.
Brazil is the only Latin American country that had a monarchy.
Following a military coup in 1889, a republic was declared in November 15th. A major step toward a return to democracy occurred in 1982 with the first secret- ballot election of state and local officials since 1964. In 1985, Tancredo Neves was elected president, ending 20 years of military rule, but he died shortly before assuming office. In 1989, the first direct elections for the presidency for the last 20 years were held, and Fernando Collor de Mello became the president. Due to a corruption procedure, he was impeached by the Congress in October 1992, when Itamar Franco, his vice-president became the current president.