Lula dismisses 40 armed guards found to be Bolsonaro supporters
Lula told journalists he had ordered a "thorough review" of presidential palace staff after last week's violent riots.
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Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during the swearing-in ceremony of Tarciana Medeiros, the first woman to preside the Banco do Brasil, one of the country´s main public banks, in Brasilia, Brazil, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In light of the recent neo-fascist protests in Brasilia during which Bolsonaro supporters destroyed several valuable art pieces, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva dismissed on Tuesday 40 members of the armed forces who were guarding his presidential residence.
Days after the insurgency took place at the Supreme Court and the Presidential Palace, Lula said that the rioters likely obtained inside help.
Lula told journalists he had ordered a "thorough review" of presidential palace staff after Sunday's violent riots.
A notice published in the official gazette on Tuesday read that 40 members of the armed forces have been fired at the President's Alvorada residence.
Last week, Lula said that any "radical bolsonarista" caught still working for the government would be dealt with.
"How can I have a person outside my office who might shoot me?" he asked while suspecting that members of security services may have had a hand in the riots.
Read more: Brazil's Lula: 'Fascists' will be punished with 'full force of law'
Bolsonaro left Brazil two days prior to Lula's presidential inauguration.
He is reportedly in the US and is being investigated on charges of instigating the riots - charges which he denies.
Fourty-six members of the US House of Representatives have reportedly urged President Joe Biden's administration to withdraw any US visa that former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro may hold.
