Bolsonaro Names New Petrobras CEO Amid Fuel Price Conflict

摘要

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has named former Defense Minister Joaquim Silva e Luna as new chief executive of state-controlled oil company Petrobras, he said in a Friday post on Facebook. Roberto Castello Branco, the current CEO of the state-run oil firm, has drawn ire from Bolsonaro for raising fuel prices despite complaints from truckers threatening to strike. The move comes after investor concerns about political interference in the state firm triggered a 6.6% plunge for its Brazil-listed preferred shares on Friday. During a late Thursday announcement about lower fuel taxes, Bolsonaro made clear his dissatisfaction with Castello Branco, saying there would be changes at Petrobras “in coming days,” even as he reiterated that he would not “interfere” in the firm.