| The Viscount of Uruguai | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Foreign Business | |
| In office 1849–1953 |
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| Preceded by | Marquis of Olinda |
| Succeeded by | Viscount of Abaeté |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 October 1807 Paris, France |
| Died | 15 July 1866 (aged 58) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Political party | Conservative Party (1836-1866) |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Paulino José Soares de Sousa, the Viscount of Uruguai (Paris, 1808 - Rio de Janeiro, 1866), was a congressman, a senator, a State Adviser and a skilful diplomat. He distinguished himself during the 1850's when, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, he organized the Brazilian Diplomatic Corps and structured the entire Brazilian policy of intervention in the River Plate against Juan Manuel de Rosas from Argentina, and Manuel Oribe from Uruguay.
A cautious diplomat, he knew how to take advantage of favourable circumstances, excluding unilateral action by Brazil and acting only at the request of the constitutional governments in the region. Success also came from his part in Franco-English involvement. He took on the financial burden incurred by France in maintaining the government of Montevideo and in relation to England, took steps towards the abolition of the slave traffic, creating favourable conditions for involvement by Brazil and its allies. In Paris in 1855 he negotiated the issue of Brazilian borders with French Guiana, which resulted in the matter being finally resolved in 1900, by the Baron of Rio Branco.
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