Brazil's government has replaced many of its top police chiefs in the aftermath of the 8 January storming of key government institutions in the Brazilian capital.
Of the 27 regional chiefs of the highway police, 26 have been fired. In addition, the government of new President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has replaced 18 police chiefs in Brazil's states.
Refusing to accept former president Jair Bolsonaro’s defeat at last year's presidential elections, thousands of his supporters stormed key government buildings in the capital on 8 December. Some 1,500 people were arrested.
Bolsonaro himself denies any involvement in the events, which are still under investigation. His successor, Lula, and his entourage spoke of terrorism.
The rioters allegedly conspired with military and federal police, among others. The highway police are a major target of suspicion because Bolsonaro’s supporters were able to block numerous roads in large parts of Brazil virtually unimpeded after his election defeat in October.
Earlier this week, Lula relieved dozens of military personnel of their security duties at the presidential residence.
