Brazil’s War on Crime: New Plan Sparks Hope and Skepticism

Background

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Brazil is facing a surge in violence and organized crime, prompting the government to unveil a new national security program aimed at tackling these issues.

The New Plan

The plan, which allocates $174 million over three years, focuses on five key areas:

• Improving police efficiency: Enhancing the capabilities of law enforcement agencies to effectively combat organized crime.
• Enhancing interagency cooperation: Fostering collaboration among authorities to share information and coordinate efforts.
• Bettering information sharing: Improving the exchange of intelligence between different levels of government and law enforcement agencies.
• Strengthening the judiciary: Enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the justice system to prosecute organized crime cases.
• Fortifying border security: Strengthening security measures at Brazil’s borders to prevent the entry of illicit goods and individuals.

Expert Opinions

Experts caution that this plan is not a cure-all for Brazil’s complex problems with organized crime. Leandro Piquet, a crime and violence expert at the University of São Paulo, noted: “We’re completely fragmented. It’s very difficult for police to investigate problems as complex as organized crime without proper tools and integration with other state-level authorities.”

Lessons from Previous Efforts

Previous major spending projects have failed to stem the tide of organized crime in Brazil, according to InSight Crime analysis. The government’s track record suggests that this plan may fall short, ignoring many of the fundamental causes of crime.

Recommendations for Success

Experts recommend better oversight and anti-corruption reforms, as well as investing in technology combined with quality personnel to tackle organized crime at its roots. Arthur Trindade, Council Member of the Brazilian Forum on Public Security, noted: “The main criminal groups in Brazil recruit their members from inside of prisons. So the chaos of Brazil’s penitentiary system greatly worsens the violence and strengthens organized crime.”