DefesaNet Editorial
The arrest of Vice-Admiral (R1) Dr. Othon Luiz Pinheiro da Silva during the 16th stage of Operation Carwash (Operação Lava-Jato in Portuguese), named “Radioactivity”, has echoed all over the world.
The Admiral and director-president of Eletronuclear, Eletrobras’s subsidiary, has been accused of receiving money from contractors in charge of the Angra 3 Project, and taken into custody last Tuesday (28th) by the Brazilian Federal Police.
The international implications of the Admiral’s arrest have little to do with police work, but mean a great deal in terms of strategic relevance and his accomplishments in the nuclear field, to the point where he’s become the spiritual heir to Admiral Alvaro Alberto, who first implemented the Brazilian nuclear program.
The DefesaNet office has received comments from readers arguing against our support to Vice Admiral Othon Silva, due to potential misdemeanor on his part.
Yes, we do support him! We do support and endorse his adventurous and patriotic spirit, and his courage.
Adventurous, when he managed to short-cut through military and government bureaucracy and move forward with our Uranium enrichment program.
Patriotic, when he sent his technicians to East Germany and to the Soviet Union back in the 80’s and 90’s, in search for knowledge that was denied in the West.
Courage, was what he showed when his access to many Western nations became restricted at the time.
All these actions even led to a personal investigation by the Brazilian Navy’s Intelligence Department in the 90’s. However, nothing was found against the Vice-Admiral.
Many people, even inside the Brazilian Navy itself, might be glad of what he is going through. And probably there are sounds of champagne glasses touching in toasts at some embassies in Brasilia.
We at DefesaNet hope that Vice-Admiral R1 Dr. Othon Luiz Pinheiro Silva, who we do not know in person, comes through this ordeal and proves to be completely innocent of any accusations.
We also hope this episode doesn’t give chance to any attacks against the only strategic project that actually takes Brazil many levels above as a nation.
For VA Othon Pinheiro Resumé and Military Assignemets in Portuguese access Link
