Dias is a retired Brazilian Army general, after more than 30 years in this Armed Forces branch.

Dias worked in the personal security team of president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during his first two terms, between 2003 and 2009.

[6][8] He was part of the transition team for the third Lula administration, as member of the responsible group for strategic intelligence.

On 29 December 2022, Gonçalves Dias was announced as head of the Institutional Security Bureau of the third Lula government.

[2] On 19 April 2023, Gonçalves Dias resigned after a report by CNN Brasil revealed a video in which he guided Bolsonaro′s supporters inside the Planalto Palace during the events of the Brazilian Congress attack.