- Internal conflict: Michel criticizes the approach between PL and Ciro Gomez and is refuted by Andre Fernandez, who says he has the support of Bolsonaro
- Repercussions: Glisi denies the existence of negotiating positions and is trying to overcome the crisis after the Colombian raised his rhetoric against the government
— If security is bad, it is the fault of the governor of Rio and other states in the country. What is being done is a push game, it is absolutely ridiculous. Obviously, the federal government and municipalities can help, but the responsibility of those in control of the public security system is the state governments. This discussion must be clear. He said the push game must be overcome.
On that occasion, Paes, who is expected to run for state government in 2026, also directly defended the actions of the federal government amid the demands made by the opposition during the massive operation in Rio de Janeiro in October, which led to the deaths of 122 people.
– Everyone here knows that I am an ally of President Lula. I have often heard that he is the president of the whole of Brazil, of Rio de Janeiro, of São Paulo, and of Santa Catarina. Why is it just Rio’s fault? Isn’t he responsible for Santa Catarina’s good public safety numbers? He asked Governor Jorginho Melo to fulfill his obligations. Aren’t the federal police the same ones working in Rio? – asked Paes.
At the time, the massive operation caused friction between Castro and the federal administration. After the first hours of the police action, the governor stated that he called on Planalto to take action and said that he was “alone” in the fight against organized crime in the state. In response, Public Security Minister Ricardo Lewandowski reported that he had not received any requests for assistance from Castro. The governor then backtracked and said it had been “misinterpreted.” The next day, they met in Rio and launched a joint office to combat organized crime in the state.
As Globo showed, the police action increased approval of the Castro administration by ten points, according to Genial/Quest polling data. The survey showed that the index rose from 43%, recorded in August, to 53%, while the Lula administration witnessed a negative fluctuation (64% to 62%) in the same period, but within the margin of error.