Criminal organizations have significantly expanded their operations in the Brazilian Amazon, now active in nearly half of the region’s municipalities, according to a recent report by the Brazilian Forum on Public Safety. The study reveals that these groups, including notorious gangs like Red Command and First Capital Command, are operating in 344 out of 772 municipalities—a 32% increase from last year and more than double the presence two years ago. This surge in organized crime is exacerbating violence and posing a severe threat to the preservation of the world’s largest tropical rainforest, especially as the region hosts critical U.N. climate talks. The Red Command, a dominant drug trafficking gang, has more than doubled its footprint since 2023, despite being targeted in Rio de Janeiro’s deadliest police operation on October 28, which resulted in 121 fatalities. The incident has sparked a national debate on organized crime, leading Brazil’s lower house to approve a bill proposing harsher penalties for gang-related offenses. The legislation aims to increase sentences for crimes committed by gang members, allow asset seizures before final judgments, and mandate maximum-security imprisonment for gang leaders. However, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has expressed concerns over budget cuts to federal police, which could weaken enforcement efforts. The bill now moves to the Senate, where further modifications are expected. Experts warn that the gangs are diversifying their illegal activities, engaging in extortion, illegal logging, and mining, which fuels territorial disputes and violence. With 8,047 homicides recorded in the region in 2024—31% higher than the national average—the situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to combat organized crime and promote sustainable development in the Amazon.
Gangs expand to nearly half the towns in the Brazilian Amazon, report finds
