Newton Cruz
Brazilian Army general (1924–2022)
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Key Takeaways
- Newton Araújo de Oliveira e Cruz (30 October 1924 – 15 April 2022) was a division general in the Brazilian Army, noted for his participation in the repressive activities of the military dictatorship in Brazil between 1964 and 1985.
- On 31 March 1964, he attended the School of Command and General Staff (ECEME) in Urca, Rio de Janeiro, when the Military Dictatorship began.
- On a number of occasions, he was accused of crimes committed throughout his army career.
- The general denied being involved and claimed to have been informed of the identity of the person responsible for the murder, but the disclosure was denied.
Newton Araújo de Oliveira e Cruz (30 October 1924 – 15 April 2022) was a division general in the Brazilian Army, noted for his participation in the repressive activities of the military dictatorship in Brazil between 1964 and 1985.
Formation
After graduating from the Military School of Realengo in Artillery, Newton Cruz was also a classmate of General Otávio Aguiar de Medeiros, and later his partner in political-military life. On 31 March 1964, he attended the School of Command and General Staff (ECEME) in Urca, Rio de Janeiro, when the Military Dictatorship began.
Posts occupied
Newton Cruz was head of the Central Agency of the National Information Service, from 1977 to 1983, and of the Planalto Military Command.
On a number of occasions, he was accused of crimes committed throughout his army career. Notably, he was charged with the death of journalist Alexandre von Baumgarten, based on the testimony of dancer Claudio Werner Polila. The general denied being involved and claimed to have been informed of the identity of the person responsible for the murder, but the disclosure was denied.
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