First and foremost, the money went to Brazilian companies that built that infrastructure.
Second, it was a loan that has to be paid back by those governments.
Third, the loan is covered by insurance.
In every loan that got investigated, the money seems to have gone into corrupt politicians pockets, both inside and outside of Brazil.
There was no plan for Brazilian international relevance, but a plan for colluded political parties, to disintegrate nationalities.
I think dropping it makes sense, because pragmatically the damage outweighs the benefits. But simplistic, partisan tarring of existing policy doesn't help us learn anything new.
You mean like those projects that China funds to successfully increase their international relevance and financial prosperity? Like all the ports and plants and railways?
By playing international influence game, the workers party managed to overflow Brazilian market with cheap and unfairly produced Chinese industrial goods, paying for it by selling most of our mineral commodities and committing with money-sink international projects with African dictatorships.
At the same time, the aforementioned party gave billions of dollars in infrastructure projects throughout Latin America bolivarian states, that without a doubt won't make returns in any way.
If that is what you call "international influence", I'm relieved we gave it up.