Many Brazilians look to military amid anger at politicians

Peter Prengaman and Marcelo Silva De Sousa, Associated Press
Updated 9:59 am, Friday, June 22, 2018

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Furious at corrupt politicians and fearful of deteriorating security, many Brazilians are calling for a military intervention to clean house of crooked leaders and crack down on heavily armed drug gangs.

While chances of a military takeover in Latin America's largest nation are small, the calls have become such a part of the national discussion that several generals have felt compelled to deny any interest in such a move — though that hasn't kept them from sounding off on politics in a way that raises questions.

. . .

Prandi, historians and political analysts say there is much ignorance about the dictatorship, in part because an amnesty law has kept alleged perpetrators from being tried.

Compared to other military governments in South America, such as in Argentina and Chile, Brazil's version was less repressive. Still, at least 434 people were killed or disappeared during the dictatorship, according to a truth commission report in 2014. Thousands more were tortured, and the press was heavily censured.

Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Many-Brazilians-look-to-military-amid-anger-at-13017190.php