Militarization of ports and airports to provide greater security against organized crime. This is the choice adopted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as he combats a surge in crime that has claimed many victims in recent weeks, especially in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The soldiers will work with federal police officers to manage security operations in Sao Paulo, the port of Santos and the main airport, Guarulhos. It is the largest port and airport in Latin America. Lula announced that the army would also be stationed at the port. ItaguaíIn the state of Rio de Janeiro and its airport Galeão of Rio. All these places are considered real logistics centers where crime was exploited to export cocaine to Europe. But smuggling is not limited to drugs: Large-caliber smuggled weapons also pass through ports and airports. Factors that contribute to street violence. The Brazilian government will also focus on strengthening border controls with neighboring countries where drugs and weapons come from. Particular attention will be paid to the western states of Paranà, Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul.
Drug-fueled militias
The measure is temporary and will expire in May 2024. Lula decided to implement this measure at a critical moment, especially in Rio de Janeiro, when drug lords dominated. Here the mafias gradually became stronger and organized themselves into organizations called “militias”. The security situation has become very complex and risks undermining the credibility of Brazil’s president, who is perceived as too “weak” against crime. Speaking to the press at the ceremony held after the signing of the decree, Lula said, “The situation in Rio de Janeiro has reached a very serious point.” “We have decided that the federal government will actively participate in the fight against organized crime. We hope this will work.” In the Andes, the coca harvest was particularly abundant. Therefore, there are fears of a much larger influx into Brazil’s ports and airports, which have become a major hub for the transportation of cocaine to Europe. This has strengthened local criminal gangs, further worsening the security of the population, which is one of the critical points throughout South America.
Murders and insecurity
One of the most violent incidents dates back to last month. Three doctors who were drinking beer on the beach at midnight in Rio were brutally murdered. According to reconstructions, they may have been mistaken for rival gangsters by a militia. Last week, criminals set fire to dozens of buses in Rio after police killed one of their leaders during an operation. Lula’s decision to deploy the army represents a historic turning point for the Brazilian left. In an interview just a few days ago, the president had stated that he had no intention of signing the decree and that he was against soldiers “exchanging fire with gangsters in the slums.” The number of murders in Brazil decreased rapidly during the years when far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro was in power. The polls may have also had an impact in pushing Lula to this decision. A poll last month found that 32% of Brazilians fear the security situation will worsen during Lula’s term in office. This is 6% more respondents than in the previous survey conducted in May.
Source: Today IT

Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.