The Commander of the Navy, Admiral Marcos Sampaio Olsen, stated on Monday 11th that the naval forces had not mobilized for a coup following the election victory of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
According to Defense Minister José Múcio, the military is responsible for protecting democracy from “infestation.”
Olsen said that despite the plea, exPresident Jair Bolsonaro's (PL) former aide, Lieutenant Colonel Mauro Cid, indicated that Admiral Almir Garnier Santos, former commander of the Navy, agreed with a coup. There was no “specific planning or training” for the military.
+ Read more news from politics in the West
“An allegation has been leaked involving the former commander of the armed forces,” Olsen said at a lunch with reporters. “But as far as I know, it was about mobilizing forces or even planning the use of these forces. I can assure you that this did not happen.”
In his statement, Cid mentioned the Navy
In the agreement with the Federal Police (PF), Cid said that after the election defeat, Bolsonaro met with the commanders of the army, navy and air force to consult the military about a “coup” alternative to remaining in the palace of the plateau. According to the lieutenant colonel, Garnier was the only one who supported the measure, while other members of the senior leadership rejected the idea proposed by the former president.
In the final months of the Bolsonaro government, Olsen served as operational commander of the Navy. According to the military officer, mobilization in the troops would have to require his knowledge, which, according to him, did not happen at the end of the mandate of the previous government.
Also read: “Brazilian Navy’s Concerns About a Possible Venezuelan Invasion of Guyana”
“All operational forces reported to me, there was no planning or training,” Olsen said. “The deployment of the armed forces in one of these areas of activity does not take place without the knowledge and actions of the operational commander.”
Múcio says the armed forces have prevented democracy from being “tarnished.”
During the meeting, the defense minister explained that the armed forces are responsible for ensuring that Bolsonaro's alleged coup is not doomed to failure. According to him, the military prevented Brazilian democracy from being “tarnished.”
“The fraudster is a criminal,” Múcio said. “I am absolutely sure and often repeat that it is thanks to the armed forces that our democracy has not been tarnished. We are partners, and if there is a celebration on the 8th, we will be the first there.”
Read more: “Naval commander asks for additional funding from opposition PEC”
In the meeting with journalists, Múcio also said that the armed forces will “under no circumstances” allow the Venezuelan army to enter Brazilian territory to invade Guyana.
The two countries are in diplomatic tension over the Guyana Essequiba region, which represents twothirds of Guyana's territory and is desired by dictator Nicolás Maduro.
magazine westwith information from Agência Estado