Brazil names new Armed Forces chiefs
Apr 01, 2021
Brasilia (Brazil), April 1: Brazilian Defense Minister General Walter Souza Braga Netto on Wednesday announced the new commanders of the three Armed Forces branches.
General Paulo Sergio Nogueira de Oliveira will head the Army, Admiral Almir Garnier dos Santos the Navy, and Lieutenant Brigadier Carlos de Almeida Baptista Junior the Air Force, said the announcement.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has approved the nominees proposed by Braga Netto.
In a speech after introducing the new commanders, Braga Netto said the Armed Forces "remain faithful to their constitutional missions of defending the homeland, guaranteeing constitutional powers and democratic freedoms."
It is the first time since 1985 that the commanders of all three Armed Forces branches have been replaced at the same time without a government power transition.
Brazil's Ministry of Defense on Tuesday announced the resignation of the commanders of the three branches without specifying the reason. It came a day after General Fernando Azevedo e Silva resigned as defense minister.
Source: Xinhua
