Lula's Ties With Military Are Strained by Crackdown on Rioters
By criticizing his army commanders, Brazilian president risks undermining his own efforts to mend relations with generals
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By seeing off an insurrection attempt just days in office, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva bolstered his position against political opponents. Now he’s in danger of straining an already delicate relationship with Brazil’s military.
Active-duty and retired military officials, as well as people close to Lula and his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro, said in interviews that the Brazilian president’s strategy to restore political control after the Jan. 8 riots in Brasilia risks undermining his own efforts to mend relations with the generals. All requested anonymity to discuss sensitive issues.