Lula government transfers Abin to the Chief of Staff – 03/02/2023 – Power

The government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) made official this Thursday (2) the transfer of Abin (Brazilian Intelligence Agency) to the Civil House, removing it from the responsibility of military personnel.

Thus, the agency, responsible for intelligence and espionage activities, no longer belongs to the structure of the GSI (Institutional Security Office). The change was published in the Federal Official Gazette.

The idea arose during the transition, when members of Lula’s team were uncomfortable with the ideological composition that the portfolio came to have, under the management of his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro (PL).

General Augusto Heleno, an early ally of the former chief executive, was at the head of the ministry until last year.

Mistrust led Lula, even on the first day after taking office, to issue a measure removing presidential security from the GSI.

Despite having started in the transition, the government thought that the discussion about the change in Abin was not yet ripe to move forward.

According to palace assistants, the debate gained strength again after January 8, when coup supporters of the former president took over and destroyed the headquarters of the three Powers.

The Planalto Palace was invaded, works of art were broken and torn, and rooms ransacked.

The performance of the GSI at the time was the target of criticism in the political world and by opponents. Although not responsible for approximate presidential security, the ministry is in charge of the dependencies of the Presidency.