Minister speaks of unpreparedness after aggression against journalists – 02/06/2023 – Politics

Minister Paulo Pimenta (Secretary of Social Communication of the Presidency) said this Friday (2) that there was a lack of preparation and training on the part of the military who attacked journalists during an interview with the dictator Nicolás Maduro, at the Itamaraty Palace.

The confusion happened on Tuesday night (30). Maduro was the last foreign leader to leave Itamaraty, where a meeting of South American leaders was taking place, and he stopped to make statements to the press when dozens of journalists approached to listen to him. Upon leaving the scene, he continued to answer questions, at which point the attacks began to occur.

Pimenta said that the agents working at that time were from the Army Battalion and had been requested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“I talked to the [ministro do Gabinete de Segurança Institucional] General Amaro and he told me that some of those young people who were working there were young people from the Army battalion that the Itamaraty asked them to go and work in support. And I realized that there was not, perhaps, even training, preparation,” said the minister.

The head of Secom added that he intends to create an environment to bring together security agents and journalists “not only to show our appreciation for the press”, but so that they start to see journalists as someone who fulfills “a fundamental role for democracy”.

At least three journalists reported assaults. Reporter Delis Ortiz, from TV Globo, claimed to have received a punch in the chest. Reporter Sergio Roxo, from O Globo, was dragged by his clothes and then immobilized; and a third professional, Sofia Aguiar, from Agência Estado, said she was pushed by a security guard.

Palace advisers claim that the agent who punched Delis Ortiz in the chest has already been identified.

The GSI (Institutional Security Office) set up an investigation on Wednesday (31) to investigate the attacks.