Leicester Mercury

Three Brazil military chiefs stand down

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THE leaders of all three branches of Brazil’s armed forces have jointly resigned following president Jair Bolsonaro’s replacemen­t of the defence minister.

The switch of ministers has fuelled widespread apprehensi­on of a military shake-up to serve the president’s political interests.

The defence ministry reported the resignatio­ns – apparently unpreceden­ted since at least the end of military rule 36 years ago. Replacemen­ts were not named, but analysts expressed fears the president, above, who is increasing­ly under pressure, was moving to assert greater control over the military.

The announceme­nt came after the heads of the army, navy and air force met new defence minister General Walter Souza Braga Netto.

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