The Defense Minister, José Múcio, stated in an interview on Thursday (September 21) that the Armed Forces, as an institution, ensured “the maintenance of democracy” and that coup attempts following the defeat of former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) in the elections were “isolated actions by some members of the Armed Forces.” Minister Múcio, part of President Lula’s government, regretted the “mantle of suspicion” that has fallen over the institution after Mauro Cid revealed a meeting between military commanders and the former president to discuss a coup.
“This does not directly affect us because it involves people who belonged to the Armed Forces, who are now in the reserves, the ones mentioned, but we very much want everything to be clarified. Obviously, this environment we live in embarrasses us, and this collective aura of suspicion bothers us,” Múcio said upon arriving at his ministry on Thursday.
He mentioned his intention to discuss the revelation with the current commanders but reiterated several times that the issue concerns military personnel who served under Bolsonaro’s government. “These things that have come out today relate to the previous government, previous commanders, it doesn’t affect anyone currently active,” he continued.
“We always hope these things come to an end because you can imagine what it is like to work under a mantle of suspicion, it’s very bad. Those who have nothing to do with it feel uncomfortable. But everything will come to a good end. I am absolutely certain that the coup was of no interest, at any time, to the Armed Forces. These were isolated actions by some members of the Forces, but we owe the Army, Navy, and Air Force the maintenance of our democracy,” Múcio emphasized.