Brazil votes in contentious Presidential election, Lula leads over Jair Bolsonaro

The Defense Ministry reported the resignations _ apparently unprecedented since at least the end of military rule 36 years ago _ in a statement released without giving reasons. Replacements were not named. But analysts expressed fears the president, increasingly under pressure, was moving to assert greater control over the military.

Bolsonaro, a conservative former army captain who has often praised Brazil's former period of military dictatorship, has relied heavily on current and former soldiers to staff key Cabinet positions since taking office in January 2019, but Melo said the military itself has so far refrained from politics.

``Will this resistance continue? That's the question,'' Melo said.

The announcement came after the heads of the army, navy and air force met with the new defense minister, Gen. Walter Souza Braga Netto, on Tuesday morning.

Braga Netto's first statement on the new job showed he is aligned with Bolsonaro's views for the armed forces. The incoming defense minister, unlike his predecessor, celebrated the 1964-1985 military dictatorship that killed and tortured thousands of Brazilians.

A retired army general who has a relationship with the three commanders as well as with Braga Netto told The Associated Press that ``there was an embarrassing circumstance so they all resigned.'' He agreed to discuss the matter only if not quoted by name, expressing fear of retribution.