Opinion: Lula pours more fuel on fire and appoints general, called a traitor by the Brazilian Spring movement, as the new army chief

(Opinion) Defense Minister José Múcio Monteiro said there was a “fracture in a level of trust” to justify the resignation of the former Army Commander, General Júlio Cesar de Arruda.

In his place was named General Tomás Miguel Ribeiro Paiva. The minister met with the new commander this Saturday (Jan. 21), which lasted over an hour.

Commander-in-chief Lula ordered the exoneration of General Julio Cesar Arruda because he felt there was a “climate of rebellion” among the military.

His replacement would be anti-Bolsonaro and close to the PT party.

Debolsonarization has begun!

Tomás is the one who, according to the leaders of the Brazilian Spring protest movement, the largest grassroots movement the country has ever seen, betrayed President Jair Bolsonaro and, thus, the protest movement.

(Video created by a wing of the Brazilian Spring movement, which is increasingly becoming the leadership of this largest grassroots movement)

He is said to have been leaking secret plans of the Bolsonaro government to circles of Lula da Silva (watch the controversial video below, create mistrust protest movement).

One can well imagine what will happen to the army’s reputation if almost 40% of the population mistrust the new military commander.

The situation is likely similar within the army itself, as observers repeatedly point out that most of the army is behind Bolsonaro and not Lula.

After the conversation, Múcio gave a quick press conference explaining the change.

“Today, we are investing once again in bringing our Armed Forces closer to the government of President Lula.”

“Evidently, after these last episodes, the question of the encampments, the question of Jan. 8, the relations, especially in the Army command, suffered a fracture in trust.”

“We thought we needed to stop this immediately to overcome this episode. For this reason, we talked today with the general in command early on. General Arruda, to whom I give my best regards,” said Múcio.

“I would like to present his substitute, General Tomas, who, as of today, is the new commander of the Brazilian Army.”

“And you will later be able to talk with him better because today was a day of many negotiations, and from next week on, when he officially takes over, you will have the opportunity to talk with him and report on everything that has happened,” said the minister.

According to the seniority criteria, the new Army commander nominated by Lula (PT) was the second on the list of military men that could assume the post.

Paiva is the current military commander of the Southeast and recently made a long speech preaching confidence in the results of the ballot box and non-partisan Armed Forces.