UFRJ revokes honorary doctorate of US diplomat Lincoln Gordon

The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) has unanimously voted to revoke the Doctor Honoris Causa title previously awarded to American diplomat Lincoln Gordon. The decision, made by the University Council (Consuni), was prompted by Gordon’s historical role in supporting the 1964 military coup in Brazil.

Gordon served as the United States Ambassador to Brazil from 1961 to 1966 and was a key figure in the movement that deposed President João Goulart. The university noted his involvement in ‘Operation Brother Sam’, which involved preparing naval troops to support Brazilian military forces in the event of resistance.

The university’s report stated that maintaining the honor contradicts the principles of democracy and human rights established by the 1988 Brazilian Constitution. The rapporteur, Gilda Avarenga, clarified that revoking the title is not an act of censorship or historical erasure, but rather a way for the public institution to critically manage its institutional memory.