I will say that on the bright side, UA Polaris fares to GRU have been shockingly attractive for a while now. (Haven’t checked in the last month or so, but all year they have been in the sub $3k range for me from LAX). And getting a separate LatAm ticket to MVD has been pretty easy to get cheap or use DL miles if you have them.

GRU is an intimidating airport for many. But if you know it, it is a breeze for this type of connection.