Lula Launches Brazil Against Organized Crime Program

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva launched a national public security program called "Brazil Against Organized Crime" on Tuesday in Brasilia, targeting major criminal groups amid rising concerns over violence ahead of October's presidential election.

The initiative coordinates federal and state efforts to combat factions such as the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (CV), which control territories in areas like Rio de Janeiro's favelas and the Amazon for drug and arms trafficking. Officials outlined investments of 11 billion reais, about $2.2 billion, to equip regional and municipal forces with drones, armored vehicles, body cameras, signal jammers, body scanners, radar, DNA equipment and other technology. At least 1 billion reais will be allocated by December.

Key priorities include disrupting criminal finances and money laundering, modernizing maximum-security prisons to prevent gang leadership from behind bars, improving homicide investigations and tightening border controls on weapons and explosives. Lula announced plans to elevate public security to a dedicated ministry, pending Senate approval of a constitutional amendment that would expand...