Amid internal and external crises, the Army Commander is trying to unite the military and preach legalism. For that, General Tomás Paiva sent an internal order for “strengthening cohesion” and valuing the “military family”. The measures include an effort to dispel the image that the Army acts outside the law and, with a focus on lower ranks, studying a proposal for a salary increase for the military.
This Content Is Only For Subscribers
To unlock this content, subscribe to INTERLIRA Reports.
Military Investigated
Military personnel of various ranks, from sergeants to general officers, from the the Armed Forces, but especially from the Army, are investigated on suspicion of corruption and malfeasance during and after the Jair Bolsonaro (PL) government. Among them: Lieutenant Colonel Mauro Cid, Army General Mauro César Lourena Cid, Admiral of The Navy Bento Albuquerque, Navy First Lieutenant Jairo Moreira Da Silva.
Analysis:
The Army has received numerous criticisms for the involvement of high-ranking officers in the government of Jair Bolsonaro (PL); for its actions in front of the encampments that requested a military coup; and, most recently, for the participation of members of the Force in cases of corruption investigated by the Federal Police. According to experts, the order released by General Tomás Paiva aims to solve the major issues resulting from such events. One of them is an internal problem. The appearance of dozens of military personnel in investigations by the Federal Police and in the CPI of 8 January, in addition to criticisms of the disparity in benefits between ranks, the top leadership of the Army realized the need to increase the satisfaction of the military: by proposing an increase in the salaries of the military; improving the Army Health System and the Military College System; and increasing the number of houses for the military. The second issue to be solved concerns the Force’s image, which has been degraded by crimes and demonstrations by officers. That would be the case of Lieutenant Colonel Mauro Cid, a former Bolsonaro aide who has been imprisoned for more than three months, and Colonel Jean Lawand, who encouraged a coup against Lula. To reverse the situation, the Army seeks to create positive guidelines. One way would be to set up a national association of “friends of the Brazilian Army”, to provide “dialogue with personalities and civil authorities”. In this sense there is an effort to maintain internal discipline. On the other hand, lack of punishment by the military justice to military members involved in the events above, even if they are punished by the common justice, could reinforce the idea that, in the eyes of their superiors, their attitudes were justifiable/acceptable.
