Brazil's Lula removes soldiers from guarding presidential residence

FILE PHOTO: Army officers stand guard outside the Planalto Palace, in Brasilia, Brazil January 11, 2023. REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli/File Photo

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has removed 40 troops guarding the presidential residence after expressing distrust in the military for failing to act against demonstrators that ransacked government buildings on Jan. 8.

His decision was published on Tuesday in the government's official gazette.