The purge continues in Brazil. Almost ten days after the attempted uprising by supporters of his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro in Brasilia, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva sent 40 soldiers back to his official residence.
The measure, published in the Official Gazette on Tuesday, January 17, affects soldiers working at the Alvorada Palace, located about 4 kilometers from the seats of the Presidency, Congress and the Supreme Court, which was looted by Bolsonarists became.
Lula last Thursday announced a “thorough” investigation into personnel assigned to the presidential office, saying he was convinced the rioters who broke into the Planalto presidential palace had received help from within.
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Several thousand supporters of Jair Bolsonaro, who rejects his electoral defeat by Lula at the end of October, sowed chaos in the capital on January 8 and invaded the three centers of power. Infrastructure, priceless works of art and furniture that are part of the national heritage were destroyed by the rioters, who left graffiti calling for a military coup.
Meeting with the armed forces
“I am convinced that the gate of the Planalto Palace was opened so that people could get in because no door was broken,” said the Left boss. “It means someone facilitated their entry here,” Lula insisted.
“How could I have someone at my office door who could shoot me?” ‘ Lula wondered, believing that ‘the palace was full of Bolsonarists’.
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The 77-year-old leader will try to meet with the commanders of the armed forces by Friday, the Casa Civil Ministry said Tuesday, midway between a chief of staff and a prime minister.
It would be the first time they have met after the government was suspected of alleged “collusion” between armed forces and rioters. However, according to Casa Civil, the exchange will focus on “modernizing” the armed forces.
Brazilian authorities tightened security around power centers in Brasilia on Monday. The number of MPs stationed near the Planalto Presidential Palace, Congress and the Supreme Court has been increased from 248 to 500.
More than 2,000 people were arrested after the attempted uprising, which the government described as an “act of terrorism”.
Nearly 1,200 were arrested and 39 of them were formally prosecuted by prosecutors on charges of armed criminal organization, criminal damage, violence against the democratic state and inciting a coup d’état.
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