BRAZIL is “at the threshold of what is compatible with democracy,” the communist Governor of Maranhao state Flavio Dino has warned following a string of resignations from the army leadership.

President Jair Bolsonaro sacked defence minister Fernando Azevedo on Monday. 

Though the move took place amid a wider reshuffle, critics say General Azevedo had declined to declare a state of emergency which would grant the army powers to reopen “essential services” closed by state governments because of the country’s intensifying Covid crisis. Three top generals handed in their resignations on Tuesday.