General of the Brazilian Army, Laerte de Souza Santos, has assumed the leadership of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces (Emcfa) of Brazil. During the transfer ceremony, held at the Ministry of Defense, de Souza received the position from Lieutenant Brigadier Raúl Botelho, outgoing chief.
The head of the Emcfa, among other responsibilities, is in charge of directing the preparation of the planning of the joint employment of the Armed Forces and of advising the Minister of Defense in the planning of joint operations and exercises, such as in peacekeeping operations.
Brazil; New Joint Chiefs of Staff appointment