Brazil established diplomatic relations with the Yemen Arab Republic (North Yemen) and the Democratic People's Republic of Yemen (South Yemen) in May 1984. Since the unification of the two countries through the creation of the Republic of Yemen in 1990, the Brazilian Embassy in Riyadh has been responsible for representing the Brazilian government before the Yemeni authorities.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, bilateral trade grew considerably: in 2001, trade flow totaled more than $100 million for the first time, and in 2010, it amounted to more than $400 million. Even with the armed conflict that began in September 2014, trade relations remained relatively stable. In 2024, trade totaled $455 million (a 25.2% drop compared to the previous year). The main products exported by Brazil were sugar and molasses (60%), poultry meat (33%) and unmilled corn (3.7%), while Brazilian imports from Yemen were largely consisted of  glassware (96%).

Since 2011, Yemen has been experiencing a cycle of political instability that culminated in the outbreak of armed conflict in 2014 between the government and Houthi rebel forces, who,  in the context of the Arab Spring, were dissatisfied with the course of the political transition led by President Abdo Raboo Mansour Hadi.

Since 2015, the UNSC has been involved in the country's domestic conflict. Resolution 2216 (2015) expanded the sanctions regime to include an arms embargo against the rebel movement “Ansar Allah” (Houthis) and its allies. It is estimated that more than 20.7 million Yemenis (68% of the population) require humanitarian aid.

In the Yemeni conflict, Brazil advocates a ceasefire agreement that leads to a comprehensive political process, under the auspices of the UN, with the inclusion of relevant Yemeni factions. It also supports the elimination of obstacles to the provision of humanitarian aid, including demining activities.

Chronology of bilateral relations

2024 – Meeting between Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and Yemen's Vice President, Aidarus Qassem Al-Zoubaidi, on the sidelines of the 79th UNGA

2014 – Signing of the bilateral Technical Cooperation Agreement, in the process of ratification

2013 – Brazil's participation in the ministerial meetings of the "Friends of Yemen" group, in London and New York

2012 – Meeting of Yemeni Nobel Peace Prize winner Tawakkol Karman with President Dilma Rousseff, in Brasília

2012 – Brazil joins the "Friends of Yemen" group, with participation in ministerial meetings in Riyadh and New York

1990 – Unification of the two Republics into the Republic of Yemen. The Brazilian embassy in Riyadh becomes responsible for representing Brazil before  the unified Yemen

1984 – Establishment of diplomatic relations between Brazil and the Yemen Arab Republic and the Democratic People's Republic of Yemen

1963 – Participation of Brazilian military personnel in the United Nations Observer Mission to Yemen (UNYOM), with the purpose of monitoring the demilitarized zone between Yemen and Saudi Arabia