Brazil: Cabinet security dispensed with reinforcement in Planalto security hours before the invasion of protesters

The Institutional Security Cabinet (GSI), a body linked to the Presidency of the Republic, dismissed a platoon of 36 security agents from the Presidential Guard Battalion in writing about 20 hours before the invasion and the acts of vandalism registered at the headquarters of the Three Powers in the last Sunday, in Brasilia. The information was published this Thursday (12) by Estadão.

According to the publication, on Saturday (7) the special battalion reinforced the security of the Planalto Palace. However, on Sunday (8), the day of the demonstrations, the building remained with normal security, without the support staff and practically devoid of equipment for riot control, such as shields, gas bombs and rubber bullets.

Only in the early afternoon of that day, around 3:00 pm, when the invasions began, did the Planalto Military Command (CMP) contact the GSI so that the platoon could be sent back to the location. In total, three dispatches were sent throughout that day asking for reinforcement in the security teams, when 113 Army soldiers were sent to the site. Later, another 93 and then 118 soldiers were sent to protect the buildings.

General Marco Edson Gonçalves Dias was appointed by President Lula da Silva (PT) to take over the GSI. The federal government claims that the failures were the responsibility of the Federal District government and decreed intervention in the area of public security.

In the assessment of Lula’s allies, Gonçalves Dias underestimated the monitoring by the intelligence sector, which had already detected threats from demonstrators during the week of the invasion. For this wing of the government, the reserve general should have reinforced the Planalto security team throughout the weekend.

Gazeta do Povo contacted the GSI to find out the reason for the reduction in security at the Planalto Palace on the day of the demonstrations, but did not receive a response until the publication of this article. This space remains open and will be updated in case of response.

With information from Gazeta do Povo