Brazil govt. sends in soldiers during police strike

Brazil's federal government deployed 2500 soldiers in Ceara state on Friday, where an illegal strike by police officers started on Tuesday. Under Brazilian law, the police and armed forces are forbidden to participate in strikes.

The request to send in the army was made by the governor of the northeastern state, after Cid Gomes, was injured during clashes with the strikers.

Gomes, a senator and former governor of the state, was shot in the chest on Wednesday as he tried to drive a backhoe through a fence, behind which balaclava-clad police officers were protesting.

In addition to the soldiers, President Jair Bolsonaro sent 300 members of the National Public Security Force. They will remain in Ceara for one month.An unknown number of police officers began a strike Tuesday, dissatisfied with the negotiations with the state to raise their pay.

(Image Credit: AP)