Bolsonaro's Erratic Behavior is Making His Military Backers Nervous
Brazil’s president packed his administration with military men. Now, a spiraling health crisis fuels growing unease among Armed Forces.
Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro, left, receives military honors during a ceremony for the Day of the Soldier at the Army Headquarters in Brasilia in August 2019.
Photographer: Eraldo Peres via AP Photo.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s dependence on the military to govern is grating on the military itself.
Interviews with a dozen active-duty and retired high-ranking officers show members of the Armed Forces, who initially viewed joining their comrade in office as a chance to shape policy after years on the sidelines, now worry his erratic behavior and a spiraling public health crisis could turn public opinion against them. While the military isn’t about to split with the administration, there’s growing push-back across the ranks, including officers within the government, to define clearer boundaries.