Brazil’s newly-appointed army chief, Julio Cesar de Arruda got sacked by President Lula days after Bolsonaro’s supporters ransacked the presidential palace, Supreme Court, and Congress in Brasilia.
Arruda had joined on December 30, two days before the end of Bolsonaro’s mandate, and was confirmed by Lula’s administration in early January. He will now be replaced by southeastern army commander Tomas Ribeiro Paiva, GloboNews reported.
Lula had his first meeting with his military’s top brass on Friday, and Arruda had attended, but no one has spoken about it.
Days prior, in response to the turmoil, Lula had dismissed a number of dozen troops from his security detail.
Lula has stated that he believes security personnel may have been engaged in the disturbances, which resulted in the detention of almost 2,000 individuals. A check of the president’s close surroundings had been requested by the leftist.
However, Defense Minister Jose Mucio said there was no direct armed forces involvement but added “if any element participated, they will have to answer as citizens.”
One of Lula’s greatest immediate concerns will be his relationship with the military, according to commentators who note a large military presence in Bolsonaro’s cabinet.
On Wednesday, Paiva vowed that the military “will continue to guarantee democracy” and suggested that the results of the election in which Lula defeated Bolsonaro should be accepted.
“When we vote, we have to respect the result of the polls,” he said in a speech.
On January 8, at least 3,000 of former president Jair Bolsonaro’s supporters broke into Congress, the White House, and the Supreme Court of the nation, causing extensive damage.
After the capital security personnel were outnumbered by the invaders, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who narrowly beat Bolsonaro in the election last year, gave the order for the federal military intervention in Brasilia to run until January 31.
Supporters who were subsequently captured by police at the scene were ejected using tear gas. In the capital, thousands of protestors wearing yellow and green were spotted rioting.