The encroachment of organized crime into the country’s territory raises increasing concern. In the Rio metropolitan area, about 4 million residents in 2024 lived under the control or influence of armed groups such as militias and criminal factions – or more than a third of the population and 18% of the urban area, according to a study by the Study Group on New Infractions at the Federal University of Fluminense (Geni/UFF) and the Fogo Cruzado Institute. Since 2007, the number of citizens subject to crime has increased by 59.4%, and the area under control has expanded by 130%.
- Criminal organizationsFour million people in Rio’s metropolitan area live under the control or influence of organized crime, according to the study
When we look only at the capital, Rio de Janeiro, the numbers become even more frightening. Last year, 42.4% of the population and 31.6% of urban areas were under the control of armed groups. Researchers point out that at least 36.3% of citizens were subject to “effective control,” where the criminal organization extracts economic resources from illegal activities and dictates rules of conduct or standards of conduct. In these neighborhoods and communities, criminals harass residents, tax basic services, establish a monopoly on pirated TV and Internet signals, deny entry to agents, adopt martial law with their own “courts,” and even establish dress codes. The state cannot bear this. It is unacceptable for residents to live under the rules of bandits.
Fighting these criminal groups has become a huge challenge due to the amazing military strength of these gangs and the vastness of the occupied territories. But the state has no alternative but to confront it. Although state governments have a constitutional mission to combat crime, they will not be able to do this mission alone. Not only is aid necessary, but the federal government’s leadership role is essential, as factions operate across the country and even abroad.
- expansion: According to the Prime Minister, only 15 of Rio’s 92 cities do not have a unified criminal faction. See list
It is positive that the Rio de Janeiro government has implemented a plan to demolish the barriers erected by drug traffickers in the capital area, define their areas and prevent the entry of the police. But without help from federal forces, these operations tend to have limited effect in keeping the bandits at bay. There is still no coherent plan to reoccupy the area, with urban improvements and the provision of public services.
It is also necessary to update legislation, which cannot suppress these bloodthirsty groups. It is necessary to speed up the processing of the Security Amendment Proposal (PEC) and the Anti-Factionalization Bill, both in Congress. The PEC expands the federal government’s involvement in the fight against organized crime and proposes greater integration between the various forces. The Criminal Code stipulates harsher penalties for crimes committed by faction members. The scourge of criminal organizations does not only affect Rio, it is a problem that affects the entire country. Given the eloquence of the numbers, changes in legislation and action against criminal groups must be treated as an absolute priority.