Brazil's government on Tuesday announced a major anti-organized crime initiative, authorizing 11 billion reais ($2 billion) in spending on public security. The move is seen by some politicians as an effort by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to strengthen his credentials on crime-fighting ahead of October's elections.
Program Details
The program includes enhanced measures against arms trafficking, financial attacks on criminal organizations, improved homicide investigations, and investment in the prison system. Approximately 1 billion reais ($190 million) will be deployed by December, according to the government.
Funds will be used to purchase drones, body scanners, metal detectors, cellphone signal blockers, X-ray machines, audio and video systems, radar, DNA tracking equipment, and vehicles. The primary targets are two major crime gangs: the First Command of the Capital (PCC) and the Red Command (CV).
Political Context
Lula, seeking a fourth term as president, discussed public security with U.S. President Donald Trump during a recent visit to Washington. “I told him we had proposals on financial asphyxiation of crime gangs and fighting money laundering. Some weapons used in Brazil come from the United States,” Lula said. “I told him that if he wants to be a part of this, there’s space. But he will have to work in agreement with Brazil’s government and police.”
Allies of Lula in Congress noted that opposition governors, who control local police, are hesitant to use funds from the initiative. Senators Flávio Bolsonaro and former Goias Governor Ronaldo Caiado have long campaigned on tough-on-crime platforms, criticizing Lula’s Workers’ Party as lenient on security.
Criticism and Response
Lula did not directly address such criticism during the launch. However, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin attacked former President Jair Bolsonaro, who has chosen his son as a presidential candidate. “The only security policy in the previous presidency was to distribute weapons, allow weapons,” Alckmin said. “And those end up with criminals, with organized crime. It is police who should be able to bear arms.”
