Marcos Ribeiro do Val (born 15 June 1971) is a Brazilian gun instructor, speaker, politician and former military, member of Podemos (PODE).[1] In the 2018 state election, he was elected senator for Espírito Santo.[2]
Marcos do Val | |
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Senator for Espírito Santo | |
Assumed office 1 February 2019 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Marcos Ribeiro do Val 15 June 1971 Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil |
Political party | PODE (2019–present) |
Other political affiliations | |
Profession | Speaker, gun instructor |
Awards |
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Website | marcosdoval.com.br |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | ![]() |
Rank | ![]() |
Unit | 38th Infantry Battalion |
Biography
editMarcos do Val was conscripted by the Brazilian Army, assigned to the 38th Infantry Battalion, headquartered in Espírito Santo.[3] After an interview in 2008, Federal Police searches Senator Marcos do Val's office and addresses TV Globo talk show Programa do Jô, do Val received significant attention from the media, and was regularly invited by the press to give his opinion on issues related to public security.[4][5]
Marcos do Val participated in many events related to public security. As instructor, he also participated in the production of some films and preparation of actors, such as in Elite Squad: The Enemy Within.[6] Besides that, he gives interviews about this subject, besides demonstrating tactics he teaches in classes for police officers.[7][8][9]
Police training
editIn the beginning of the 1990s, hefounded CATI, security company focused on advanced training for police officers. Through this company, do Val has ministered courses and lectures which aim to spread many techniques and doctrines inherent to police acting, such as approaches and non-lethal tactical restraints.[10]
According to him, his motivation in developing these techniques and apply them in police units came from his wish to reduce violence and fatalities in unsuccessful police approaches due to lack of training. Most of these techniques were created by Marcos do Val from his experience serving on the Brazilian Armed Forces, the support of the Budokai Martial Arts Center in Vitória and his experience in Aikido, in which he's a 2nd grade master accredited by the International Aikido Federation, based in Tokyo.[11]
These techniques involve tactics to manipulate and immobilize suspects essentially through the use of hands or hands with cuffs, still involving a context of stress, risk and unpredictability.[12]
Abroad
editThe success with the initial classes motivated do Val to spread his knowledge to foreign police officers. At the end of the 1990s, he began working as police instructor in Dallas, Texas with SWAT units, an elite group of American police. With this unit, and later with other police units in Beaumont and Rowlett, Texas, classes he named "Super SWAT", aimed to prepare officers to face critical situations, such as invasions techniques, approaches, immobilization and combat, also following-up some operations.[13][14]
Later, he held classes for the FBI, DEA and U.S. Marshals agents, the Vatican security, the Rome police Carabinieri and for the United States Armed Forces military.[15][unreliable source?]
Marcos do Val also became part of the Texas Tactical Police Officers Association, which gathers instructor teams to enhance their skills and improve their knowledge.[16]
Eloá Cristina case
editIn October 2008, after the tragic ending of the Eloá Pimentel case, do Val was interviewed by TV Globo Fantástico, when he criticized the failures caused by the Military Police of São Paulo State and governor José Serra. At the occasion, he criticized the state government for allegedly interfering in police actions, which he said partly contributed to the fatality.[17]
According to his evaluation, "there would have to be a police officer with a ballistic shield, Nayara beside him, the officer holding her to approach, to talk. If it's the case, retreat. But not letting her alone, walking, opening the door. The kidnapper felt powerful at this time, because he had his hostage back. It's a serious mistake and I feel ashamed to be Brazilian and knowing that the Brazilian police did this". His statements received criticism from some people, however. He later was interviewed on Mais Você to explain his position, which he said was decontextualized, as he had no intention of saying he was ashamed of his nationality or the country's police. On the other hand, some people reaffirmed their criticism of Marcos do Val, among them, Veja magazine journalist Reinaldo Azevedo, who wrote an article on his webpage named "Who really is the supposed SWAT specialist", where he alleged that Marcos was just a taekwondo teacher. In response do Val filed a lawsuit against the journalist. Later, the original article link was removed.[18][19][20]
Political career
editIn the 2018 elections, Marcos do Val, member of the Popular Socialist Party (PPS), was elected senator for the state of Espírito Santo, receiving 863,359 votes (24.08% of the valid votes). Later, his party was renamed to Cidadania (English: Citizenship).[2][21] In August 2019, he left Cidadania and joined Podemos (PODE).[1]
Controversies
editDisagreement with Eduardo Bolsonaro
editIn February 2017, do Val had a disagreement with congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro (PSC-SP), when the lawmaker said he was offended by some statements made by Do Val about him. Days later, Marcos do Val posted a video explaining his position and an apology for what, according to him, was just a misunderstanding.[22][23]
Dismissal and readmission of girlfriend to travel abroad
editFrom 25 April to 5 May 2019, do Val took his girlfriend Brunella Poltronier Miguez, who was on his staff, to travel to the United States, taking advantage of payment by the Brazilian Senate. Brunella was dismissed the day before the trip and rehired as director-general one week after their return. This handling had the intention of ease his advisor's trip without Senate authorization. Senator Marcos do Val's comments were sought by the press on this situation but he remained silent.[24]
Disagreements with Flávio Dino
editFatphobia and bariatric surgery
editAfter questioning Justice Minister Flávio Dino during a session of the Senate Public Security Commission about the 8 January coup attempt and defense of Dino's departure from office, Marcos do Val received answers considered blunt by the minister. Later, do Val published in his social media in a fatphobic attacks on the minister's weight. In one of the photos, the senator compared Dino to himself, in a picture which he's thinner than the justice minister. Later on, in allusion to Dino, he posted a video of a fat man running, dressed as Spider-Man, in allusion to the minister's latest statement in response to supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro: "If you're part of SWAT, I'm from the Avengers. Do you know them? Captain America, Spider-Man?". Afterwards, it was revealed that Marcos do Val had had bariatric surgery in the past; information was published about this with photos of the senator while overweight.[25][26]
Genitals comparison post
editIn another disagreement with Flávio Dino, do Val compared their supposed genitals' size, by posting an image of himself and the Minister on his social networks, both in swimming trunks, with the caption: "I'll show you who's taller and who has the better gun!"[27] He later deleted the image, but the post had already gone viral.[28][29]
Participation in the 8 January attack
editOn 15 June 2023, the Federal Police, authorized by Supreme Federal Court justice Alexandre de Moraes, searched residences linked to the senator, who was investigated for obstructing investigations on the 8 January attacks in Brasília.[30] Marcos said that the judicial order was a political prosecution by the justice and that he was already expecting it, but not on his birthday.[31] The senator's Twitter account was also blocked.[32]
O Globo had access to the Federal Police report, revealing that Marcos, in different WhatsApp groups, boasted that he had the fate of two Presidents of the Republic in his hands: "I have a bomb in hand to destroy Bolsonaro and another one to destroy Lula."[33] He also said he was responsible for Bolsonaro taking refuge in the United States after he lost the election: "I was invited by him [Bolsonaro] to do this. As member of CCAI [Mixed Intelligence Activities Control Commission], I started to wind it up to see how far it would go. When it was about to happen, I informed him that he would be committing a very serious crime against democracy and, from there, I reported it to the responsible authority. It was because of this that he fled to the USA."[33]
The senator returned to Congress on 3 August, where he gave a speech on the Senate floor asking the house to not "engage in cannibalism".[34]
Notes
edit- ^ Portuguese: Ordem do Mérito Aeronáutico - Grande-Oficial
- ^ Portuguese: Ordem do Mérito da Defesa - Grande-Oficial
- ^ Portuguese: Medalha do Pacificador
References
edit- ^ a b "Marcos do Val deixa o PPS e vai para o Podemos". A Gazeta (in Brazilian Portuguese). 23 August 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ a b "ES elege Fabiano Contarato e Marcos do Val para o Senado". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 7 October 2018. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ Petersen, Tomás (25 November 2016). "'Não conseguimos resultados em segurança sem coletividade', diz instrutor brasileira da Swat". GaúchaZH (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ "Swat teria atirado em sequestrador, diz especialista em negociações". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 19 October 2008. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ Zenha, Luiz Carlos (6 February 2023). "Exclusivo: Marcos do Val, o senador do grampo contra Moraes, e a farsa de um brasileiro na SWAT". Revista Forum (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ Perillo, Lorraine (4 February 2023). "Treino para Swat e Tropa de Elite: quem é Marcos do Val?". UOL Notícias (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ Sampaio, Athos; Butter, David; Aragão, Leonardo; Soares, Rafael (25 November 2010). "Instrutor da Swat explica fuga dos traficantes da Vila Cruzeiro". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ "Policiais brasileiros recebem treinamento da Swat em Brasília". Estadão (in Brazilian Portuguese). 19 September 2008. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ Santana, Eduardo (4 March 2016). "Seminário debate mudanças na lei federal que dispõe sobre o porte de armas para os guardas municipais do país". Assembleia Legislativa do Paraná (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 3 September 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ Barbieri, Mateus (28 July 2016). "Instrutor da Swat dá curso ao Choque". CGN (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 3 September 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "SWAT: Brasileiro virou treinador do grupo nos EUA". Folha de S. Paulo (in Brazilian Portuguese). 20 November 2007. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "Marcos do Val - SWAT". MotiveAção Palestras (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 3 September 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ Rodriguez, Juan (28 September 2016). "Beaumont PD officers get extra training on making combative oarrests". 12News. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ Pelham, Ryan (30 September 2016). "Southeast Texas law enforcement trained with special tactics". Beaumont Enterprise. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ Côrtes, Elimar (26 March 2015). "Capixaba Marcos do Val completa 15 anos como instrutor da SWAT e vai aos EUA para dar mais um curso a policiais americanos". Blog do Elimar Côrtes (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 16 November 2016. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "Porto Velho: OAB/RO apoia palestra com instrutor da Swat Marcos do Val marcada para o próximo dia 26". Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil de Rondônia (in Brazilian Portuguese). 21 February 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ Nassif, Lourdes (8 August 2016). "A mão pesada de Serra: como destruir um crítico". Jornal GGN (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ Azevedo, Reinado (22 February 2017). "Quem realmente é o suposto especialista da SWAT". Veja (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "Marcos do Val processa colunista da Veja por afirmar que ele não era policial". 180Graus (in Brazilian Portuguese). 11 August 2016. Archived from the original on 12 August 2016. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ Azevedo, Reinaldo (31 July 2020). "Ainda aquele cara que não é da Swat". Veja (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ Cury, Teo (23 March 2019). "PPS aprova mudança de nome e vai se chamar Cidadania". Estadão (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ Eduardo Bolsonaro (16 February 2017). Marcos do Val por Eduardo Bolsonaro (in Brazilian Portuguese). YouTube. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ Marcos do Val (17 February 2017). Esclarecimento sobre o ocorrido entre eu e o Eduardo Bolsonaro (in Brazilian Portuguese). YouTube. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ Rodrigues, Larissa (19 June 2019). "Marcos do Val levou namorada que empregou no Senado em viagem de R$ 50 mil aos EUA". Metrópoles (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "Após ser detonado por Flávio Dino, Marcos do Val apela para a gordofobia". Pragmatismo Político (in Brazilian Portuguese). 10 May 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ Marzullo, Luísa (11 May 2023). "Bolsonaristas voltam a investir em gordofobia contra Dino após fala do ministro sobre 'SWAT e Vingadores'". O Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ Dulce Miranda, Maria (1 June 2023). "Do Val publica foto dele e de Dino de sunga: 'Quem tem a melhor arma'". Estado de Minas (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ Longo, Ivan (1 June 2023). "Marcos do Val não aguenta humilhação e apaga foto em que avalia 'arma' de Dino". Revista Forum (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "Do Val publica foto de sunga e provoca Dino: 'Cada um usa a arma que tem'". Metrópoles (in Brazilian Portuguese). 1 June 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ Camargo, Isabela; Resende, Sara; Cassela, Vinícius (15 June 2023). "Polícia Federal faz buscas em gabinete e endereços do senador Marcos do Val" [Federal Police searches Senator Marcos do Val's office and addresses]. G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ Leite, Hellen; Costa, Camila (15 June 2023). "Marcos do Val diz que operação é perseguição: 'Já estava esperando, mas não no meu aniversário'" [Marcos do Val says the operation is persecution: 'I was already expecting it, but not on my birthday']. R7 (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "Twitter bloqueia conta de Marcos do Val por ordem de Alexandre de Moraes" [Twitter blocks Marcos do Val's account by order of Alexandre de Moraes]. R7 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 15 June 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ a b Megale, Bela (12 July 2023). "As conversas nada secretas que Marcos do Val teve com amigas sobre a trama golpista". O Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "Do Val voltas ao Senado após licença e operação da PF e pede a colegas que não façam 'canibalismo'". R7 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 3 August 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.