Two weeks after unrest in the city, Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, fired the country’s army leader.
General Julio Cesar de Arruda had only been in the position since December 30th, shortly before former President Jair Bolsonaro’s term expired.
President Lula has stated that he believes military personnel conspired with demonstrators.
In recent days, he has fired dozens of military officers.
Thousands of Mr. Bolsonaro supporters assaulted government buildings in Brasilia on January 8 after marching virtually unopposed through the capital.
Several police officers were hurt, and the presidential palace, Congress, and Supreme Court were vandalized after protesters pushed their way inside. According to Brazilian federal police, 2,000 people were detained on the day, and roughly 1,200 are still being held.
The Supreme Court is looking into what transpired and has included Jair Bolsonaro in the investigation. Prosecutors believe the far-right former leader instigated the disturbance by publishing a video in which he questioned the legitimacy of last year’s presidential election.
He has denied any role in or culpability for his supporters’ insurrection.
General Arruda has been replaced by General Tomás Ribeiro Paiva, a military commander loyal to the government. Earlier this week, he delivered a speech in which he urged soldiers to accept the outcome of the presidential election.
Unsubstantiated suspicions of election fraud in October were a motivating factor for many Bolsonaro supporters who participated in the storming. Many people were also outraged that President Lula, who was found guilty of corruption and sentenced to prison before his convictions were overturned, was back in power.
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