Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs
Brazil Initiative

Brazil's military takes over public security in Rio

"Brazil’s president has ordered the military to take control of public security in the state. It is the first federal intervention in a state since Brazil’s return to democracy in the 1980s, and it is seen by some as a bid by the president Michel Temer, to improve his favorability ratings rather than as a measure to tackle crime.The decree signed by Mr. Temer falls short of a full intervention in the state government. While the military will take control of security, Gov. Luiz Fernando Pezão will continue to run the state government of Rio de Janeiro."  "The decree confers broad authority on the military to restore order. It also places police forces, which have had shortages of personnel and equipment, under the command of a general, Walter Souza Braga Netto, who oversees military operations in the eastern part of the country." Source: NYT.

February 23, 2018