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LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

A daily publication Of the dialogue

July 25, 2024

Is Rio Gaining the Upper Hand Against Organized Crime?

Brazilian authorities sent military and civil officers into Rio de Janeiro favelas earlier this month in an operation to fight organized crime. The Cidade de Deus favela is pictured. // File Photo: Junius via Creative Commons.

Q

  • Brazilian authorities sent almost 2,000 military and civil officers into favelas in western Rio de Janeiro on July 15 in an effort to regain control of areas dominated by organized crime groups that have been waging violent territorial disputes in recent years. The operation was organized by Rio de Janeiro’s state government and was supported by Brazil’s navy and municipal guard. Who are the groups that are involved in the disputes, and how serious is the current flare up in crime? What has the strategy of the military and police been to improve security in the favelas, and how effective have their efforts been? What are the biggest obstacles to improving security in Rio de Janeiro and other Brazilian cities?

A

Martijn Oosterbaan, professor of cultural anthropology at Utrecht University: “I don’t think there is a sudden rise in crime in Rio de Janeiro. The urban region where the so-called mega operation is taking place has witnessed ongoing territorial disputes between milícias (mafia-like organizations with ties to state institutions) and facções criminosas (drug trading gangs) for years. Specifically, the former, and increasingly, the latter, are monopolizing services such as the distribution of gas and Internet connections. Moreover, they are taxing local companies and entrepreneurs. The current operation, carried out under the mandate of Rio de Janeiro Governor Cláudio Castro, appears to have a different focus than earlier police operations that focused on the armed actors involved in the drug trade. The state secretary of public security confirmed that…”

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