The dismissal of allies of former Security Secretary Guilherme Derrite has sparked tension between Bolsonaro supporters and São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas. Flávio Bolsonaro's allies view the firings as a break and betrayal. At least 14 people linked to Derrite were removed by direct order from the governor.
Tarcísio de Freitas's decision to remove Guilherme Derrite's appointees from the São Paulo Public Security Secretariat has heightened rifts within the Bolsonaro camp. Derrite, who stepped down from the role late last year as the last remaining Bolsonaro figure in the governor's cabinet, saw his allies dismissed in an action that took place on Wednesday, February 14. At least 14 individuals connected to him in the department's structure were affected.
A source close to Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the PL-RJ pre-presidential candidate, described the move as a signal of rupture and even betrayal by Tarcísio of the Republicans. The situation grew more tense with the appointment of Colonel Henguel Ricardo Pereira, former head of the Military Household and a known adversary of Derrite, to the executive secretariat of Security on Monday, February 2.
Although the current Security Secretary, Osvaldo Nico, served as Derrite's deputy and is seen as close to him, the dismissals have strained their relationship, according to observers. Derrite, who has resumed his federal deputy mandate, intends to run for the Senate on the PP ticket.
In the previous month, the PP threatened to break ties with Tarcísio, but a recent reconciliation occurred. However, the political fallout from these developments influenced the governor's choice to proceed with the changes in the secretariat, amid the backdrop of the 2026 elections.
