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Brazil’s army chief fired in aftermath of capital uprising

Published:Saturday | January 21, 2023 | 2:05 PM
Police stand on the other side of a window at Planalto Palace that was shattered by protesters, supporters of Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro, after they stormed the official workplace of the president in Brasilia, Brazil, Sunday, January 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva fired Brazil's army chief Saturday amid concerns over threats to the country's democracy following the January 8 uprising in the capital by far-right protesters.

The official website of the Brazilian armed forces said General Julio Cesar de Arruda had been removed as head of the army.

He was replaced by Gen. Tomás Miguel Ribeiro Paiva, who was head of the Southeast Military Command.

In recent weeks, the military has been targeted by Lula after supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed through government buildings and destroyed public property.

Lula said several times in public that there were definitely people in the army who allowed the rioting to occur.

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