By violating a ban on politicking by military officers, Pazuello has invited possible punishment from the armed forces or embarrassment for their commanders, say former generals and military scholars. In the 10 days since Pazuello drew cheers at that rally alongside the president, the army has remained silent. The president's embrace of the brazenly political general suggests that for some officers allegiance to Bolsonaro is starting to trump military protocol. "The vast majority of senior active-duty officers think this is undue interference by the president and it will undermine army discipline and hierarchy," said retired General Paulo Chagas. "We all think the armed forces should not get mixed up with politics," said General Roberto Paternelli, who was elected to Congress in 2018 after retiring from the army helicopter corps and joining Bolsonaro's party.

Source: The Star June 02, 2021 18:20 UTC