his grandfather emigrated from vila nova de cerveira, portugal in 1921 at the age of 22. he is of quadroon stock on his grandmother's side. his mother is of portuguese nobility origin from bahia. a graduate of the military academy of agulhas negras 1974 promotion (resende, rio de janeiro) and the catholic university of campinas, santos cruz has more than 40 years of national and international military experience. he served as deputy commander for land operations of the brazilian army from april 2011 and march 2013. he also served as special adviser to the minister for the secretariat of strategic affairs within the presidency of brazil.