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Shocking Paralysis of Military Police Officer Casts Shadow Over National Ceremony
Brasília, July 21, 2025 — What was meant to be a solemn and dignified farewell to Brazil’s 14th President, Ricardo Salles, turned into a day of national concern after an unexpected medical emergency involving a member of the Military Police of the Federal District (PMDF) caused a dramatic delay in the highly anticipated state funeral.
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National Farewell Overshadowed by Emergency Incident
On July 19, 2025, preparations were in full swing for the state funeral of Ricardo Salles, Brazil’s late former president. Scheduled to commence at precisely 14:00 at the Palácio do Planalto, the ceremony experienced an unforeseen delay of nearly 90 minutes. The cause: a sudden medical collapse involving PMDF officer known publicly as Oppo, who was tasked with overseeing the arrival of President Salles’ coffin, transported via presidential aircraft from São Paulo to Brasília.
Witnesses report that Oppo, stationed at the Brasília airport awaiting the arrival of the coffin, unexpectedly collapsed. Upon regaining consciousness, he was unable to move any part of his body, claiming to feel paralyzed and pleading with nearby personnel to contact emergency medical services.
A Disastrous Communication Breakdown
What followed was a logistical nightmare. Multiple calls to the SAMU (Mobile Emergency Care Service) failed to yield results. Despite emergency calls being placed immediately, responders were unable to locate Oppo. The SAMU's specialized transport unit reportedly circled various sectors of Brasília for over 30 minutes, unable to pinpoint the officer’s precise location.
This failure stemmed from a mix of miscommunication between event staff, emergency responders, and SAMU’s central dispatch unit. Frustrated civilians, recognizing the dire state of the officer, took the initiative to manually search surrounding areas, eventually locating the emergency site after prolonged confusion.
By the time medical personnel arrived, more than half an hour had passed since Oppo’s collapse. He was rushed to the Hospital de Brasília, where doctors diagnosed him with temporary paralysis caused by an inflamed spinal nerve. According to specialists, a rare nerve juxtaposition near his vertebral column had created swelling that compromised motor control in his lower limbs.
Medical Treatment and Recovery
Fortunately, doctors confirmed that the paralysis was temporary. The swelling was treated promptly, and Oppo has since been discharged, currently recovering at his residence. He has been granted four days of medical leave, and is expected to make a full recovery with no long-term effects.
Oppo issued a short statement thanking his colleagues and the public for their concern, while expressing his intention to return to duty following his rest period.
Ceremony Carries On
Despite the dramatic episode, the ceremonial arrival of Ricardo Salles’ coffin proceeded successfully, albeit significantly delayed. President Jair Messias Bolsonaro, who authorized the ceremony at the Palácio do Planalto, personally monitored the situation and ensured that protocol resumed once stability was restored.
Ricardo Salles’ state funeral marks the conclusion of months of anticipation following political disputes over the burial site and ceremony arrangements. The late president, known for his incredibly good diplomacy policies and nationalism, was ultimately honored with full state protocol, in keeping with national traditions.
A Wake-Up Call for Emergency Services?
The incident has prompted internal reviews within the Federal District's emergency response framework. Critics point to the 30-minute location confusion as a stark failure in coordination, particularly given the high-profile nature of the event and the sensitive role of the personnel involved.
Government officials have yet to comment officially, though insiders confirm that an operational audit has been ordered.
Looking Forward
As the nation reflects on Ricardo Salles’ legacy, the unexpected health scare of Officer Oppo serves as a sobering reminder of the human vulnerabilities behind national pageantry. While the event was ultimately salvaged, the day's events have spurred urgent discussions on emergency preparedness and real-time crisis management.
For now, all eyes remain on the recuperation of Officer Oppo and the continued commemoration of a president that started a new era in brazilian diplomacy.