Noblat suggests that Cabral has completely lost his mind.

247 - The decision by the governor of Rio de Janeiro, Sergio Cabral, to resume using official aircraft to travel to his beach house in Mangaratiba with his family was harshly criticized by journalist Ricardo Noblat of Globo. Read his column below:

Cabral on board

Either Governor Sérgio Cabral (PMDB-RJ) is no longer relevant or he has fallen victim to one of the most blatant flaws of his personality – arrogance.

How about a governor caught using state helicopters to travel with his family to his summer home on weekends?

Faced with the scandal, he signs a decree making his trips impossible. Then, he simply goes back to flying.

That's exactly what it's about. Last July, VEJA discovered that Cabral was abusing the use of official helicopters.

Cabral lives in Leblon, a short distance from the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon. Escorted by bodyguards, he would drive to the Lagoon and from there take a helicopter to the Guanabara Palace – a 10-minute flight. On weekends he would travel with his family, employees, and dog to Mangaratiba.

There, in a luxury condominium, Cabral built two houses valued for the idyllic scenery of Sepetiba Bay and their proximity to Angra dos Reis and Paraty.

Frequently, one of the helicopters would make more than one flight on Fridays and Sundays to transport Cabral's entourage to and from the event. At the time, the excuse given was that the use of helicopters was due to security reasons. It didn't hold water.

Then, humbly, Cabral apologized and signed a decree restricting the use of helicopters to "the governor, vice-governor, heads of branches of government, secretaries, and presidents of autonomous agencies and public companies."

He was careful to note that helicopters could only be requested for "activities inherent to public service." Since his weekend trips had nothing to do with such activities... Cabral suspended them.

Until last week, when Folha de S. Paulo announced on its website: Cabral once again used state helicopters to vacation in Mangaratiba with his family and employees. The absence of his dog was noted.

The same excuse used last time was pulled out this time: security reasons. Cabral followed the recommendation of the Military Security Sub-Secretariat of the Civil House. He is a prime target for drug traffickers and criminals. He can't take the risk.

Cabral's words: "Unfortunately, being governor means we have to confront public safety, crime, and drug trafficking. To win this difficult fight, the military cabinet imposes restrictions on me and my family. And I have to follow them for security reasons."

The power of the criminal gangs must have increased significantly between last July, when Cabral relinquished flights to Mangaratiba, and now, when he resumed them.

It makes no sense that the power structure remained the same, and yet Cabral changed his behavior.

Or it does make sense, if we admit that Cabral might be lying – he and his advisors.

The governor is required to report to his workplace daily – and it's perfectly natural, in Rio or anywhere else, that he be accompanied by security guards.

You are not obligated to spend your summers on vacation. If you do, it should be at your own expense.

Cabral is doing poorly. Among the 17 governors in the country, he is the fourth worst rated.

Three years ago, he was one of the campaign managers most courted by Lula to elect Dilma president. Lula has already abandoned him. The PT will have a candidate for governor of Rio – Senator Lindberg Farias.

Cabral made so many political mistakes that most politicians want to distance themselves from him. What Cabral did best – the UPPs – is now in danger.