Rio de Janeiro court blocks candidate linked to rival criminal factions

The Regional Electoral Court of Rio de Janeiro (TRE-RJ) has blocked the candidacy of Vaguinho Neguinho (PRD) for state deputy in the 2026 elections. The decision follows investigations by the Federal Police and the Electoral Public Ministry, which indicated that the politician maintained simultaneous ties with rival criminal organizations, including the Comando Vermelho (CV), the Terceiro Comando Puro (TCP), and various militias.

Neguinho, a five-term city councilor from Nova Iguaçu, is accused of having a “vast political capillarity” among these groups. Federal Police reports include intercepted messages where a drug trafficker from the Comando Vermelho contacted him to install internet services at a drug den in Paraíso. Additionally, investigations highlighted photographs of the politician with known militia leaders, such as “Cientista” and “Tubarão.”

The probe also focuses on a criminal group led by the militia leader Juninho Varão, involving suspicions of money laundering, extortion, and the exploitation of internet and gas services in the Baixada Fluminense region. Financial irregularities related to a telecommunications company owned by Neguinho were also identified during the investigation.