Resignation confirmed: Castro schedules ceremony to end his term

Governor Claudio Castro decided to resign from his position this Monday, on the eve of the Superior Electoral Court resuming the trial that could make him ineligible for eight years. This Sunday, Guanabara Palace began sending invitations to political allies to participate in the farewell ceremony, scheduled for 4:30 pm this Monday (23).

Castro is accused of abuse of political and economic power and conduct prohibited by public agents in the campaign for re-election in 2024. The electoral Public Ministry accused Castro and deputy Thiago Pampolha (currently a counselor at the State Court of Auditors) in hiring thousands of people at the time of the election by Fundaçãoo Ceperj.

Already with the possibility of resignation, Cláudio Castro dismissed 11 secretaries of Rio so that they can compete in the 2026 elections. The decision, published in the state’s Official Gazette this Friday, also announced the appointment of new secretaries who will occupy the portfolios that lost their holders, such as Civil Police, Cities and Tourism. In a statement, Castro stated that the changes “are part of the electoral calendar and are natural at this time”.

The dismissals took place amid expectations that Castro would resign as governor, as Lauro Jardim’s column anticipated, when publishing that Castro would resign from his position this Monday. The decision would be an attempt to avoid ineligibility and make a candidacy for the Senate in October viable. The column points out that, by leaving office before the trial that could make him ineligible, Castro intends for the action against him at the TSE to lose its purpose, since he will be out of office.

Changes in government

In the Civil Police, secretary Felipe Curi left and delegate Delmir Gouveia, former chief of staff and with more than 30 years of experience in public service, entered. At the Secretariat of Infrastructure and Works, Raul Fanzeres took over from Uruan Andrade.

Douglas Ruas, pre-candidate for the government of Rio, left the Secretariat of Cities, now headed by Maria Gabriela Bessa.

At the Environment Secretariat, Bernardo Rossi left and Diego Faro joined. At the Secretariat of Social Development and Human Rights, Anderson de Azevedo Coelho, who previously served as head of the department’s cabinet, took over from Rosângela Gomes.

At the Secretariat of Labor and Income, Daniel Martins now heads the department, previously headed by Luiz Martins. The Tourism Secretariat will be led by Lucas Alves, replacing Gustavo Tutuca. At the Secretariat for Youth and Healthy Aging, Isabela Alves takes over, replacing Alexandre Isquierdo.

At the Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation, Renata Sphaier de Freitas replaced Anderson Moraes, who was in charge of the department. At the Housing Secretariat, Bruno Dauaire left and Fábio Paravidino entered.

The last change was the appointment of Carla Nasser Monnerat to the Economic Development Secretariat, replacing Vinicius Farah.