Is Brazil returning to military rule?
Army forces to take control in Rio as gang crime rises
The Brazilian army is to take over security in Rio de Janeiro following a violent crime spree that marred the city’s famous carnival celebrations last week.
It is the “first intervention of the armed forces since Latin America’s largest country returned to democracy three decades ago”, following 21 years of military dictatorship, says the Financial Times.
Signing the decree on Friday, President Michel Temer admitted the move was “extreme”, but said organised crime has almost taken over Rio. “It is a metastasis that spreads around the country,” Temer said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The measure, which will be in place until the end of the year, “is a response to growing demands ahead of the October general elections for a crackdown on crime and violence”, says Bloomberg.
Robberies and gunfights during the Rio Carnival, followed by a storm that killed four and caused further chaos, “have heightened a sense that the city is slipping out of control”, says The Guardian.
Although this will be the first time the army has taken full control of a Brazilian city’s security since the country introduced a new constitution in 1988, there was a military occupation of a Rio favela in 2014-15.
The latest security move could affect the outcome of this year’s election, according to Robert Muggah, of security think-tank Igarape Institute. With Temer’s popularity in the single-digits, “a ‘tough on crime’ approach plays well with the public”, Muggah told the FT.
However, Mauricio Santoro, a political scientist at Rio de Janeiro State University, told the newspaper that the security situation could benefit rival candidate Jair Bolsonaro, a right-wing politician and former army captain, who is running second in opinion polls.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'The House under GOP rule has become a hostile workplace'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
The Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal is about more than bad bets
In The Spotlight The firestorm surrounding one of baseball's biggest stars threatens to upend a generational legacy and professional sports at large
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Feds raid Diddy homes in alleged sex trafficking case
Speed Read Homeland Security raided the properties of hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine's unconventional approach to reconstruction
Under the radar Digitally savvy nation uses popular app to file compensation claims, access funds and rebuild destroyed homes
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will Ukraine's leadership reset work?
Today's Big Question Zelenskyy hints at ousting of popular military chief, but risks backlash amid dwindling munitions, delayed funding and Russian bombardment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Imran Khan sentenced to 10 years: how powerful is Pakistan's military?
Today's Big Question The country's armed forces ignore country's economic woes, control its institutions and, critics say, engineer election results
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is Iran's endgame?
Today's Big Question Tehran seeks to supplant US and Saudi Arabia as dominant power in Middle East while forcing Israel to end Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel proposes two-month pause in Gaza war in exchange for all Hamas hostages
Speed Read Deal doesn't include an agreement to end war, but might be 'the only path that could lead to a ceasefire', said US officials
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Nato official warns of all-out war with Russia in next 20 years
Speed Read Civilians must prepare for life-changing conflict and mass mobilisation, says military chief
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak visits Kyiv to announce £2.5 billion in military support for Ukraine
Speed Read Surprise trip comes amid increased Russian bombardment and escalation of Middle East crisis
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
How Islamic State bombings in Iran could escalate regional war
The Explainer Terrorist group claims responsibility for deadly blasts on 'irredeemable foe' but Tehran likely to ramp up anti-US rhetoric
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published