Brazil militias exert territorial and economic control

In Brazil, particularly in the state of Rio de Janeiro, militias operate as armed criminal organizations that seek to establish permanent sources of income and power by controlling specific territories. Unlike traditional criminal gangs, these groups aim to transform entire neighborhoods into economic engines through the extortion of residents and local businesses.

These organizations often involve networks of current or former police officers and security agents. They exert influence by controlling the supply of basic services, such as internet, television, and transportation, and by interfering in the real estate market. Residents and merchants frequently face illegal fees, restrictions on movement, and threats of violence.

Historically, the roots of these groups in Rio de Janeiro date back to the mid-20th century, evolving from extermination squads during the military dictatorship into stable territorial controllers by the 1980s and 1990s. The community of Rio das Pedras is cited as a significant early example of this model, where the fight against drug trafficking transitioned into a system of illegal taxation.