A recent report by a nonprofit organization revealed that criminal gangs are now operating in over a third of municipalities in Brazil's Amazon rainforest, leading to a surge in violence. The report highlighted that in 2024, gangs were present in 260 out of 772 municipalities in the region, a significant increase from the previous year. The presence of mafia-like organizations, particularly the Red Command and First Capital Command (PCC), has exacerbated the situation in the Legal Amazon, which is considered a strategic territory for transnational trafficking.
The Legal Amazon, spanning nine states in Brazil, is home to the largest hydrographic basin globally. The report noted that the Red Command controls half of the municipalities where organized crime groups are present, indicating a substantial rise in their influence compared to the previous year.
The expansion of criminal organizations, such as the Red Command, has been linked to the monopolization of criminal activities, potentially contributing to a decrease in violent deaths in the region. However, this internalization of violence has transformed once peaceful municipalities into some of the most violent areas in the country.
The report also highlighted specific incidents of violence, including the killings of Indigenous peoples expert Bruno Pereira and British journalist Dom Phillips in 2022. The murders were attributed to a Colombian fish trader, allegedly motivated by Pereira's environmental law enforcement efforts and Phillips' work on Amazon preservation.
Experts have raised concerns about the intertwining of criminal activities, illegal mining, and deforestation in the Amazon region. Despite efforts by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to address crime and deforestation, the expansion of drug gangs remains a significant challenge.
The report emphasized the need for coordinated public policies and local development projects to combat drug trafficking, environmental crimes, and land-grabbing in the Amazon. The grip of criminal organizations not only poses a public security threat but also hinders the implementation of sustainable practices crucial for the region's preservation.
Addressing these complex issues requires a multifaceted approach and concerted efforts to tackle the root causes of criminal activities in the Amazon rainforest.
