Govt backs down on use of military troops in ​​Brasília

President Michel Temer on Thursday morning (May 25) revoked his law and order decree issued Wednesday in which he had authorized the use of the Armed Forces in the Federal District, and particularly in the Esplanade of Ministries, the region where the main government buildings and the National Congress are located.

The revocatory decree was published in an extra edition of the Official Gazette, during President Michel Temer's meeting with Defense Minister Raul Jungmman; Chief of Staff Eliseu Padilha; Moreira Franco, chief administrative aide to the Presidency; Antônio Imbassahy, Secretary of Government; and General Sérgio Etchegoyen, head of the Office of Institutional Security of the Presidency.

The government's use of the Armed Forces in Brasília Wednesday was a move to defend government buildings and provide security for government employees working in the Esplanade of Ministries, after about 50 people wearing masks started riots in a protest against the government of President Michel Temer and his austerity reforms.

The use of military forces was criticized by the governor of the Federal District, Rodrigo Rollemberg. In a statement, Rollemberg said he was “surprised” at Temer's measure and condemned the use of violence and attacks on public and private property.

“GLO”

The so-called Guarantee of Law and Order (GLO) operation ordered by President Temer is governed by a constitutional provision investing the Armed Forces with temporary police authority until return to normalcy.

On Wednesday (24), lower house Speaker Rodrigo Maia requested the presence of the National Security Force in Brasília, a force composed of members of Civil Police, the Military Police, and the Fire Brigade. The government then ordered federal troops to protect public buildings in the Esplanade of Ministries.

The presidential office (Palácio do Planalto) said President Michel Temer's decision to use the Armed Forces was made based on information that the National Force deployments were insufficient to satisfy Maia's request.

Translated by Mayra Borges