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Gangs of Rio. 6,000 gang member living in Rio that control drug trade - cocaine. One of the highest crime rates in Latin America Five Brazilian cities rank among the 15 most violent in Latin America – Sao Paulo, Salvador, Recife, Rio and Brasilia.
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Gangs of Rio 6,000 gang member living in Rio that control drug trade - cocaine
One of the highest crime rates in Latin America • Five Brazilian cities rank among the 15 most violent in Latin America – Sao Paulo, Salvador, Recife, Rio and Brasilia
Murder rate in comparative perspective (2004) Brazil = 26.9/100,000 United States = 5.5/100,000 ~20 murders per day in Rio • Overcrowding and dire prison conditions • Prison population (360,000) 4th in world • Posing a wider threat to public safety? • Brazil comes in 2nd in highest gun-related deaths
Unequal income distribution combined with widespread poverty • Out of population of 190 million, roughly 50 million live in poverty • Poverty in favelas • Social deprivation • 75% of country’s municipalities have no cultural or leisure facilities • 96% have no cinemas • 86% have no theater • 25% have no library
Major Gangs in Brazil • Red Command - CV • First Capital Command - PCC • Pure Third Command - • Amigos dos Amigos - • Capixaba Mafia
Biggest gang in Rio Founded in 1979 in prison on Ilha Grande (Candido Mendes)
Brazil was ruled by military dictatorship • Common criminals mixed with left-wing political prisoners known as Red Phalanx (influenced) • 1985 Brazil returned to democracy • Red Command controls the drug trade in many Rio Favelas
Conflict with police and rival gangs Red Command is not as strong (many leaders in jail or dead) • 2005 controled 53% of Rio’s favelas – 2008 to 38.8%
To recruit youth to gang – sponsor neighbourhood associations, special interest clubs, organize sporting events • Most common way through subsidizing FUNK parties (Booty Music) FF
ADA – Amigos dos Amigos • Formed after spilt in Red Command (member was expelled)
ADA – Amigos dos AmigosFriends of Friends • Formed 1998 grew out of conflict between Red Command and Pure Third Command member was expelled for ordering the murder of another members
ADA – Amigos dos AmigosFriends of Friends • Main rivals Red Command and Third Pure Command • Controls North and West zones of city (Rochina) • Make 4 million a month selling drugs and guns
TCP – Pure Third CommandTerceiroComandoPuro • Emerged out of a power struggle of leaders of the Red Command during mid 1980s • Major rival with Red Command • Fighting to gain supremacy in slums and throughout prison system
President DaSilva’s response (2000-2005) • Stated that he would fix the security problem associated with urban gangs • Reelection in 2006 increased his capability to deal with gang violence
President DaSilva’s response (2006-2010) • Federal Government passed law - crime to have a cell phone in prison • allocated $46 million for new prisons and surveillance in Sao Paulo state
President DaSilva’s response (2006-2010) • hiring of additional guards, but does not address the need to raise the salaries of guards currently employed. (Sao Paulo state) • Most social scientists agree that the overcrowding of prisons will continue to strengthen the gangs and thus weaken the government.
police Conflict