Silva e Luna leaves Petrobras saying he was betrayed by Bolsonaro

On April 7, 2021, President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) traveled to Foz do Iguaçu to honor the farewell ceremony of General Joaquim Silva e Luna from the command of Itaipu. Summoned by the president on February 19 for the “mission” to preside over Petrobras, the general received a standing ovation after a speech in which he described his own administration as an example of fiscal austerity.

Less than a year later, Silva e Luna is dismissed from the presidency of Petrobras without even being informed of the progress of negotiations that preceded the announcement of his successor, Adriano Pires. The general, say allies, leaves office barely speaking to Bolsonaro, for whom he feels disrespected.

The soldier complains of treason. According to interlocutors, the general – who months earlier had been in direct contact with the president – was only informed on the day of his resignation that the Minister of Mines and Energy, Bento Albuquerque, had met several times with his successor, including last Sunday, to discuss his exoneration.

In a meeting described as cold, Bento Albuquerque informed Silva and Luna about his resignation, recounting the series of meetings he had had with the new president of Petrobras. The hearing at which Silva e Luna was informed of his dismissal took place just three hours before Bolsonaro’s decision was publicly announced.

The relationship between Bolsonaro and the general had been fraying since January, with the successive increase in fuel prices. THE sheet found that Silva e Luna was particularly hurt in February, when Bolsonaro demanded that the general live up to his salary, presenting a solution for the price of gasoline.

“The director earns BRL 110,000 a month. The president earns more than BRL 200,000 a month and, at the end of the year, he still has some bonus salaries. The guys have to work! They have to present the solution and show what is happening. ‘Oh, the gas is high.’ It falls into my lap. I have no way of interfering with Petrobras, but it falls into my lap,” Bolsonaro said.

The definitive removal took place in March. On the 8th, the general was called to Brasília to discuss the fuel increase. The then president of Petrobras met with Bento Albuquerque before the meeting of the highest level of the government, in the Civil House, to discuss the price of gasoline.

At the hearing, attended by ministers Paulo Guedes (Economy) and Ciro Nogueira (Casa Civil), the general warned of the risk of shortages if prices were not readjusted.

There was a request for Silva e Luna to contain the readjustment for two days, until approval of a bill aimed at facing the crisis. On Thursday, March 10, the project had not been approved and Petrobras announced a readjustment that would take effect on Friday.

On the same day, Bolsonaro complained about the problem falling into his lap. Pressured by the advance of oil prices with the war between Russia and Ukraine, Petrobras announced readjustments in the prices of gasoline, diesel and cooking gas.

In the case of gasoline, the adjustment for distributors was 18.8%. In statements, Bolsonaro also accused Petrobras of insensitivity. In conversations, the general was irritated, saying that he would not fight to stay in office. But he wouldn’t quit either.

His departure is yet another demonstration of Bento Albuquerque’s strengthening on the Esplanade. In February of last year, when he was invited to join Petrobras, Silva e Luna conditioned his departure to the possibility of choosing his successor in Itaipu.

In January, Bolsonaro appointed a nominee from Bento Albuquerque to helm the binational. With the general’s departure, the Minister of Mines and Energy appointed Navy personnel to the state-owned company’s board.