Lula confirms meeting with commanders after attacks – 01/19/2023 – Politics

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) confirmed a meeting with the commanders of the Army, Navy and Air Force this Friday (20), as part of an articulation to try to reduce tensions with the military after the day’s attacks. January 8th.

The meeting is scheduled for 10 am at the Planalto Palace. Also participating are the Minister of Defense, José Múcio Monteiro, and businessman Josué Gomes, who is facing a dispute to remain in charge of Fiesp (Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo).

According to the president’s assistants, the meeting’s agenda will focus on strategic defense projects for the Armed Forces. The original plan is to avoid political discussions that could increase friction between Lula and the military.

The Minister of Defense had planned to take the Armed Forces investment plans to Lula in February, but decided to bring this conversation forward, in an effort to improve relations between the two sides.

The meeting takes place a week after the PT declared that he had distrust in relation to the military who work in the security of the Planalto Palace, due to the invasion of the headquarters of the Three Powers.

During this period, Lula dismissed dozens of members of the Forces who work in areas considered sensitive, such as the Institutional Security Office.

On Tuesday (17), Minister Rui Costa (Casa Civil) had a meeting with Múcio and the heads of the Armed Forces. He announced that he would try to fit in Lula’s agenda a meeting with the heads of the military until Friday.

The commanders of the Army, Júlio Arruda, of the Navy, Marcos Olsen, and of the Air Force, Marcelo Damasceno, will be at the meeting.

At breakfast with journalists last week, the president complained about the Armed Forces, in the wake of the attacks on the 8th.

“This is the image I have of the Armed Forces. An Armed Forces that know that their role is defined in the Constitution. The Armed Forces are not the moderating power as they think they are. The Armed Forces have a role in the Constitution, which is the defense of the Brazilian people and our sovereignty against possible external enemies. That is the role of the Armed Forces and it is defined in our Constitution. Highland.