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Lula replaces army chief amid concerns over Jan 8 riots

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Brazilian President

22 January 2023 02:26 (UTC +04:00)

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva replaced on Saturday the commander of the Army, General Julio Cesar de Arruda, APA reports citing Teletrader.

Southeastern army commander Tomas Ribeiro Paiva will replace Arruda, GloboNews reported. Arruda assumed office on December 30, two days before the end of Bolsonaro's term, and was confirmed by Lula's government in early January.

The move comes amid criticism of the army, the intelligence service, and the police for the lack of security during the riots of January 8. That day Bolsonaro supporters ransacked the presidential palace, the Supreme Court, and the Congress in Brasilia.