Being one of the most violent countries in the world, with a skyrocketing national homicide rate, a great deal of this criminal activity and violence can be contributed to the weapon and drug trade operations that are being organized by certain groups in the country. Organized crime syndicates had a direct effect on the country; as they became more entrenched in Brazilian affairs we saw increased drug consumption, changes in the political structure, and the economy begin to fluctuate. “One of the most distressing aspects of the drug problem in this region is the growing capacity of these transationalized criminal organizations to subvert the foundations of governmental authority in countries with fragile democratic institutions – such as in
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As drug and arms trafficking are intertwined with each other it is expected that the increased amount of drugs flowing through the country would in turn increase the violence. “In Brazil, 4 men die per each woman, on average, but between the ages of 15 and 29, 8 men die per each woman. In some poorer municipalities of the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro, this rate reaches the amazing figure of 15 men per each woman” (Zaluar, 1995, pg 97). The criminal groups that police the parts of the country that has little-to-no state presence control the drug trade. These groups have a big footprint in the country because in addition to smuggling drugs, they operate a vast number of other illicit businesses to lauder their money through these channels. These businesses that they’re running in turn controls the citizens in the cities their operating as they control many aspects of daily lives in the local Brazilian communities. Using violence as a scare tactic to control the people these criminal organizations are the main reason for urban crime and violence in the cities. Using the local communities they begin to build a criminal network inside and outside the prisons to enable their full control of all activities in the country. “Local politicians, businessmen and policemen have become the focus of violence. School teachers as well as local leaders have lost their authority vis-a-vis youths who have the power of money and guns. Even the experienced and politically concerned adults who work in countless neighborhood organizations, such as samba schools, dwellers’ associations and soccer clubs, are almost powerless” (Zaluar, 1995, pg
As drug and arms trafficking are intertwined with each other it is expected that the increased amount of drugs flowing through the country would in turn increase the violence. “In Brazil, 4 men die per each woman, on average, but between the ages of 15 and 29, 8 men die per each woman. In some poorer municipalities of the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro, this rate reaches the amazing figure of 15 men per each woman” (Zaluar, 1995, pg 97). The criminal groups that police the parts of the country that has little-to-no state presence control the drug trade. These groups have a big footprint in the country because in addition to smuggling drugs, they operate a vast number of other illicit businesses to lauder their money through these channels. These businesses that they’re running in turn controls the citizens in the cities their operating as they control many aspects of daily lives in the local Brazilian communities. Using violence as a scare tactic to control the people these criminal organizations are the main reason for urban crime and violence in the cities. Using the local communities they begin to build a criminal network inside and outside the prisons to enable their full control of all activities in the country. “Local politicians, businessmen and policemen have become the focus of violence. School teachers as well as local leaders have lost their authority vis-a-vis youths who have the power of money and guns. Even the experienced and politically concerned adults who work in countless neighborhood organizations, such as samba schools, dwellers’ associations and soccer clubs, are almost powerless” (Zaluar, 1995, pg