Bolsonaro Makes Generals Uneasy With Statement About Their Role In Democracy

[Judi Lynn]

President said that freedom only exists when the Army allows it
Mar.8.2019 4:06PM

SÃO PAULO , RIO DE JANEIRO and BRASÍLIA

​A strange statement made by president Jair Bolsonaro about the Armed Forces brought uneasiness to generals within his inner circle, who tied to do damage control in one more controversy from the president this week.

Earlier, on Tuesday, Bolsonaro had already brought unwanted attention to himself by tweeting a pornographic video and criticizing Carnaval, one of Brazil's biggest popular festivities.

On Thursday morning (7th), Bolsonaro attended an event at the Brazilian Marines Corps headquarters in Rio, and during his speech, he said: "This mission will be accomplished hand in hand with the people who hold family values in Brazil, those who love their country, who respect their families, those who want us close to countries with similar ideologies, those who love democracy. And democracy and freedom only happen when the Armed Forces allow them to exist."

The statement displeased many senior cabinet officers who belong to the Armed Forces and other high ranking officials -- eight out of Bolsonaro's 22 ministers are servicemen.

More:
https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/internacional/en/brazil/2019/03/bolsonaro-makes-generals-uneasy-with-statement-about-their-role-in-democracy.shtml