Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Saturday fired the nation’s military chief, General Julio Cesar de Arruda, amid considerations over threats to the nation’s democracy within the wake of the Jan. 8 riots within the capital by supporters of former chief Jair Bolsonaro.
The firing of Arruda, who had been commander since Dec. 28, was reported earlier on Saturday by Brazilian newspaper Folha de S. Paulo and TV community Globonews. A supply mentioned that his substitute can be General Tomas Miguel Ribeiro Paiva, military commander of the southeast.
Brazil’s military and the Ministry of Defense didn’t instantly touch upon the matter.
Lula mentioned this week that intelligence companies failed on Jan. 8, when supporters of far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed authorities buildings in Brasilia.
Previously, Lula mentioned he suspected collusion by “people in the armed forces” within the riot, throughout which a number of thousand Bolsonaro supporters invaded and ransacked the Congress constructing, the presidential palace, and the Supreme Court.
Arruda had attended a gathering with Lula on Friday, accompanied by the commanders of the navy, Marcos Sampaio Olsen, and air power, Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno.
Defense Minister José Múcio Monteiro advised reporters after the assembly that the Jan. 8 riots weren’t the primary dialogue subject however added that any involvement of army personnel within the riots can be punished.
Lula has mentioned lately that his authorities would purge hardcore Bolsonaro loyalists from the safety forces. However, many demonstrators who rioted in Brasilia known as for a army coup to revive Bolsonaro to energy.
