Araújo was not an influential member of Itamaraty, being described by The Economist as "hitherto-obscure diplomat",[6] and got the job after a suggestion by Olavo de Carvalho.[7] An anonymous group of Brazilian diplomats published a manifesto lamenting his appointment and claiming Araújo is "manifestly unprepared" and hold "ridiculous" and "absurd" opinions.[8] Others, also speaking anonymously, described him as an "extremely scholarly man", with profound knowledge of ancient history.[4]