Mato Grosso political crisis intensifies amid Operation Heritage investigation

Operation Heritage Mato Grosso politics Oi agreement investigation Mauro Carvalho Júnior Parliamentary Inquiry Commission

Mato Grosso is facing significant political upheaval following the Federal Police's Operation Heritage. The investigation targets a suspected R$ 308 million corruption scheme involving a state agreement with the telecommunications company Oi.

In the wake of the operation, Mauro Carvalho Júnior, the Chief of Staff of Mato Grosso, announced his resignation. Carvalho stated his departure was a personal decision to focus on his family and legal defense, denying any wrongdoing or judicial mandate to step down. His exit has led to the appointment of Adjaime Ramos de Souza to the position.

The investigation has also triggered political shifts for Governor Otaviano Pivetta. Following the withdrawal of Fábio Garcia from a potential vice-gubernatorial slot due to legal restrictions, Gisela Simona has accepted the invitation to join Pivetta's 2026 ticket.

Simultaneously, pressure is mounting in the Mato Grosso Legislative Assembly to establish a Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (CPI) to investigate the Oi agreement. The request has garnered seven signatures, nearing the required quorum. Meanwhile, a separate Health CPI has scheduled testimonies for former Health Secretary Gilberto Figueiredo and former deputy secretary Caroline Campos Dobes Conturbia Neves for August 26.

Political tensions are high as polling shows Wellington Fagundes maintaining a lead in the gubernatorial race, though his margin over Pivetta has narrowed from 26 to 8 percentage points over the last nine months.

Entities

Federal Police · Mato Grosso · Mauro Carvalho · Mauro Carvalho Júnior · Oi · Oi S.A. · Otaviano Pivetta · Virginia Mendes · Wellington Fagundes

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] In a stimulated poll for the Mato Grosso governorship, Wellington Fagundes leads with 34% and Otaviano Pivetta has 26%. leiagora.com.br
[● 7 SOURCES] The Federal Police launched Operation Heritage to investigate a suspected R$ 308 million scheme involving an agreement between Mato Grosso and the telecommunications company Oi. omatogrosso.com · circuitomt.com.br · issoenoticia.com.br · www.obomdanoticia.com.br · pnbonline.com.br · +1 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Mauro Carvalho Júnior resigned from his position as Chief of Staff of Mato Grosso by personal decision. omatogrosso.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Governor Otaviano Pivetta has a 64% approval rating in Mato Grosso.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Gisela Simona accepted the invitation to be the vice-gubernatorial candidate for Otaviano Pivetta in the 2026 elections.
[● 3 SOURCES] A request to establish a Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (CPI) regarding the Oi agreement has reached seven signatures in the Mato Grosso Legislative Assembly. circuitomt.com.br · issoenoticia.com.br · www.obomdanoticia.com.br
[● 2 SOURCES] Former Health Secretary Gilberto Figueiredo has been formally notified of his status as an investigated party in a Health CPI. momentomt.com.br · portalmatogrosso.com.br
[○ 1 SOURCE] In a simulated poll for the Mato Grosso governorship, Wellington Fagundes leads with 34% and Otaviano Pivetta has 26%. leiagora.com.br