Brazil security trends show crime reductions in Pernambuco and Ceará

crime rates public security organized crime violent crime reduction territorial reoccupation

Several Brazilian states are reporting significant shifts in crime statistics and security strategies. In Pernambuco, authorities recorded the lowest numbers for intentional violent deaths and violent property crimes in historical series for August 2026, with a 44% reduction in property crimes compared to the previous year.

Ceará has also seen a notable decline in violence. The state reported a 42.5% reduction in lethal violent crimes between January and July 2026, placing it first among Brazilian states for the largest reduction in this category. Additionally, Ceará holds the lowest rate of femicides in the country, with a 20.6% decrease in cases during the first eight months of the year.

In Rio de Janeiro, the state government and the Ministry of Justice and Public Security signed technical cooperation agreements to combat organized crime. These pacts aim to reclaim territories under criminal influence and protect strategic corridors through integrated intelligence and the presence of federal forces. Meanwhile, legal experts in Rio have criticized populist rhetoric regarding the total eradication of crime, advocating instead for long-term state policies to maintain crime at acceptable levels.