The President of the Republic, Jair Bolsonaro, said, today (19), that the Armed Forces are guarantors of the “regime [político] in which the people [brasileiro] want to live”. When participating, in Brasília, in the ceremony to commemorate the 374th anniversary of the Army, Bolsonaro again praised the role that the military played in troubled moments of national political life.
“In all the difficult moments that our nation has gone through, the Armed Forces, our Army, have always been present. so it was in [19]22, [19]35, [19]64 and also in 1986, with the transition [do regime militar (1964-1985) para o período democrático]”, said the president, adding that the redemocratization process was carried out “with the military, not against” it.
Alongside the presidents of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), Luiz Fux, of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco, and of the Chamber, Arthur Lira, the vice president, Hamilton Mourão, the commanders of the Air Force, Army and Navy and ministers of Estado, Bolsonaro addressed the military and civilians.
Army Day commemorative ceremony, at the Army Headquarters, in the Urban Military Sector, in Brasília, by Antonio Cruz/Agência Brasil
Bolsonaro also reiterated part of the speech by the army commander, General Marco Antônio Freire Gomes. Shortly before, when highlighting the importance of the Armed Forces for guaranteeing the sovereignty of any country, Gomes said that “by respecting and valuing its soldiers”, citizens are “investing in guaranteeing their greatest good, their freedom”.
“Your Excellency said it well,” Bolsonaro commented, alluding to Gomes’ speech. “Citizens, by respecting and valuing their soldiers, are investing in guaranteeing their greater good, their freedom”. The Armed Forces do not give a message. They are present. They know how to proceed. They know what is best for their people and their country. They play an active role in guaranteeing law and order, our sovereignty and the regime in which the people want to live”, said the president before commenting again on the Brazilian electoral process.
“We can never have an election over which the mantle of suspicion hangs. This commitment belongs to all of us, presidents of the powers [Executivo, Legislativo e Judiciário]Force Commanders [Armadas]. We are all important; we are agents of this process. And I am sure that this year’s elections will follow their normal pace,” Bolsonaro said.
“All of us soldiers will one day swear to give our lives for our country if necessary. And all of us, the Brazilian people, will do more than that to guarantee our freedom and that everyone plays within the four lines of our Constitution.”
