Paulo Mifano Motoryn
Visiting the Global Migration Institute
Spring 2026
Paulo Motoryn is an investigative journalist based in Brazil and a reporter at The Intercept Brasil. He was a contributor to The New York Times for two years, where he reported on Brazilian politics and democracy for an international audience. His work focuses on far-right extremism, democratic erosion, political violence, and transnational networks connecting Brazil to other countries in Latin America. He has extensive experience using open-source intelligence (OSINT), public records, and freedom of information requests to uncover hidden power structures and accountability gaps.
Motoryn is the author of Cartas Marcadas, a weekly investigative newsletter that examines the rise of authoritarian movements and threats to democracy in Brazil. His reporting has exposed networks supporting Brazil’s January 8, 2023 coup attempt, including investigations conducted from Argentina into Brazilian fugitives accused of participating in anti-democratic acts. These reports triggered international debate and serious personal security risks, forcing him to relocate and reshape his professional routine.
Research focus while a Bridging Divides Fellow
During his residency, Paulo Motoryn will investigate how global anti-immigration and xenophobic discourses are imported, adapted, and mobilized within the Brazilian political context. The project focuses on two interconnected case studies: the politicization of Venezuelan migration in the northern state of Roraima and the emergence of xenophobic policies and rhetoric targeting internal migrants in municipalities in southern Brazil, particularly in Santa Catarina.
Drawing on investigative journalism methods and OSINT techniques, the research will map political actors, media ecosystems, and transnational influences that connect Brazilian local politics to broader global narratives around migration, security, and nationalism. While at TMU, Motoryn seeks to engage with researchers, journalists, and civil society organizations working on migration, polarization, and democratic resilience.
Publications and Reports
(2024) “Video: Bolsonaro, Facing Investigations, Hid at Hungarian Embassy - The New York Times (external link) ". The New York Times.
(2025) “Condenado do 8 de Janeiro vende shows de tango na Argentina (external link) ". The Intercept Brasil.
(2025) "Fui até Diadema ouvir os moradores atacados pela extrema direita | Intercept Brasil (external link) ". The Intercept Brasil.