The Brazilian Army withdrew from participating in an annual competition between military forces organized by Russia, the country that invaded Ukraine on February 24, altering the geopolitical balance of the planet.
The International Army Games, held since 2015, started on Saturday (13) and will run until the next 27. They comprise 36 competitions in 12 countries, including for the first time Venezuela, Moscow's main ally in the United States' strategic backyard.
The Force's Social Communication Center confirmed that there would be no Brazilian delegation. According to officials with knowledge of the matter, the decision was a political one: taking part in such an event organized by a country at war could suggest that Brazil has a side in the dispute.
Brazil participated as an observer in the 2015 and 2019 editions and competed last year in the category of countries without the use of armored vehicles. The country won the parachute jump competition and ranked third place overall.
Translated by Cassy Dias