Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has sacked the country’s army chief

Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has sacked the country’s army chief, two weeks after rioting in the capital. General Julio Cesar de Arruda had only been in the role since 30 December just before former president Jair Bolsonaro’s mandate ended. President Lula has said he suspects members of the armed forces colluded with protesters. He has also dismissed dozens of military officers in recent days.

It will be recalled that thousands of supporters of Bolsonaro stormed government buildings in Brasília on January eight after managing to march, largely unchallenged, through the city. The Supreme Court is investigating what happened and is including Jair Bolsonaro in the probe. He has denied any involvement in or responsibility for the uprising by his supporters. Bolsonaro was previously an army captain and known to have the support of certain figures in the military.