With Dismissal of Rio’s Superintendent, Rupture Between Moro and Bolsonaro Seems Sealed

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – An actor in the crisis surrounding President Jair Bolsonaro and the Minister of Justice, Sérgio Moro, the superintendent of the Federal Police in Rio de Janeiro, Ricardo Saadi, was discharged on Friday, August 30th.

His dismissal was published in the Federal Gazette (DOU), in an ordinance signed by Luiz Pontel, executive secretary of the portfolio.

The replacement of Rio’s superintendent had been anticipated by Bolsonaro, in an interview to journalists on August 15th, when he alleged “productivity issues”. The statement surprised the Federal Police leadership, which contradicted the president in a statement a few hours later, stating that the replacement had been planned and had no “connection with the performance.”

At the time, the Federal Police reported that delegate Carlos Henrique Oliveira Sousa, the current head of the body in Pernambuco, would be appointed as Saadi’s replacement in Rio. Sousa’s appointment, however, has not yet come into effect.

The Federal Police has also not announced Saadi’s fate. He was negotiating a move to Brasília, where the corporation’s headquarters are located.

Bolsonaro has Pushed for Saadi’s Departure

A couple of days ago President Jair Bolsonaro (PSL) shocked Lava Jato supporters and close allies by suggesting that he may change the command of the Federal Police for no apparent reason, bypassing the authority of the Justice Minister, Sérgio Moro.

According to the president, this is not an interference in the corporation, but it is clear that there is a tug-of-war with the Federal Police. “If I cannot change the superintendent, I will change the general director. If I change today, what is the problem? It’s in the law. I do the appointing, not Sérgio Moro.”

Last week, the president had already sparked controversy with the institution by pointing out that he intended to remove Ricardo Saadi, the superintendent of the Federal Police in Rio de Janeiro, from office.

Public servants’ organizations challenged the statement, pointed out that the election of the superintendent is the responsibility of the Director-General of the Federal Police, Maurício Valeixo, and asserted that the police is a “State” institution, not a “government” one.

Bolsonaro’s position flirts dangerously with a rupture with some of the ranks that have supported him since the electoral period and which currently support his government.

The reformed captain’s firm discourse in the fight against violence has brought him closer to police officers of different categories. But now the president sees members of institutions that support him questioning the real intention behind this conflict with the Federal Police and other anti-corruption bodies, such as the Federal Treasury and the now extinct COAF.

The End of the Sérgio Moro and Jair Bolsonaro Alliance

There was little love between the President and the Minister of Justice, and now it seems to be over.

Jair Bolsonaro’s intervention to remove the superintendent of the Federal Police in Rio de Janeiro as quickly as possible and the COAF’s transfer to the Central Bank symbolizes the end of a partnership between the president and his Minister of Justice, Sérgio Moro.

Many who have read the Intercept’s leaked messages about the machinations of Moro and Lava Jato chief prosecutor Deltan Dalagnol during the last weeks will be happy and can’t wait for Moro to fall out of favor.

Bolsonaro is seeking the minister’s resignation, but Moro doesn’t want to leave. Yet. Everything seems a matter of time.