# Brazil gang violence, political influence and security > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/brazil-gang-violence-and-security-reforms > Updated: 2026-09-10T10:03:46.000Z. Sources: 53. Developments: 12. In August 2026, the influence of Brazil’s major criminal factions, including the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (CV), expanded into economic, political, and social spheres. Senator Efraim Filho called for the “financial strangulation” of organized crime, noting that groups have infiltrated strategic sectors through tax evasion and fraud. This political interference has manifested in the intimidation of voters and the relocation of polling stations in Rio de Janeiro, while investigations in Ceará examine attempts by factions to influence candidates and electoral integrity. Recent data highlights escalating violence and the sophisticated nature of these groups. In July 2026, Rio de Janeiro experienced a 25% increase in violent lethality compared to July 2025. Research from the Fórum de Segurança Pública indicates that 40% of the population perceives themselves as living in territories under organized crime control. Criminal networks have evolved to infiltrate legal markets, including fuel, mining, real estate, and digital betting. By early September 2026, law enforcement operations have increasingly targeted the digital and fraudulent components of these networks. On September 8, 2026, the Public Security and Combat of Organized Crime Commission approved an amendment to the Disarmament Statute (PL 1687/26). While originally intended for state and Federal District civil police, rapporteur Deputy Roberto Monteiro Pai expanded the scope to include all public agents with functional firearm permits. Under this proposal, agents performing duties such as intelligence or escorts may board commercial flights while armed, subject to Federal Police verification and strict prohibitions on consuming alcohol or carrying loaded weapons inside the aircraft. In contrast to rising lethality in other regions, Sobral, Ceará, reported a 69.2% decrease in Intentional Lethal Violent Crimes (CVLIs) in August 2026 compared to August 2025. ## Claims - The Institute Fogo Cruzado released a semiannual report covering January–June 2026. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The report recorded 2,511 shootings, 2,403 people shot, 1,628 killed and 775 injured. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Police involvement accounted for 39% of shootings, causing 584 deaths and 317 injuries. (corroborated by 11 sources) - In Greater Rio, police participated in 47% of shootings, the highest level since 2017. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Victims of armed‑group conflicts rose 12% from 181 in 2025 to 203 in 2026. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The report covered 57 municipalities across Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Belém and Salvador. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Research manager Terine Husek Coelho said the state's security model has been repeated for three decades and is ineffective. (corroborated by 11 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-10: Sobral reports 69.2% drop in violent crimes for August Sobral, Brazil, reported a 69.2% drop in intentional lethal violent crimes in August 2026 compared to August 2025, continuing a year-to-date reduction trend of 40%. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sobral-reports-692-drop-in-violent-crimes-for-august ### 2026-09-08: Brazilian commissions approve armed boarding for security agents Brazilian congressional commissions approved a bill allowing all public security agents with functional permits to board commercial flights armed, expanding previous restrictions to ensure career equality. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-chamber-commission-approves-harsher-penalties-for-interstate-criminal-organizations ### 2026-08-21: Brazil debates criminal faction classification and election interference Brazil faces rising challenges from organized crime, including investigations into election interference in Ceará and a national debate over classifying major criminal factions as terrorist organizations. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-debates-criminal-faction-classification-and-election-interference ### 2026-08-17: Brazil security amendments misaligned with violence rates A Brazilian Chamber of Deputies study shows that public security amendments are failing to reach high-violence municipalities, despite a 96% increase in total funding between 2022 and 2024. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-security-amendments-misaligned-with-violence-rates ### 2026-08-17: Rio de Janeiro violent lethality rises 25% in July Violent lethality in Rio de Janeiro rose by 25% in July 2026, reaching 301 victims, driven by increased homicides and police confrontations. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rio-de-janeiro-violent-lethality-rises-25-in-july ### 2026-08-17: Human Rights Watch warns police lethal force increases insecurity in Brazil Human Rights Watch reports that the unrestricted use of lethal force by police in Brazil is increasing violence and insecurity instead of making cities safer. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/human-rights-watch-warns-police-lethal-force-increases-insecurity-in-brazil ### 2026-08-14: Brazil police confrontations with criminal factions leave multiple dead Police confrontations with organized crime members in Salvador and Pontes e Lacerda resulted in several deaths and the seizure of weapons and digital evidence. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-police-confrontations-with-criminal-factions-leave-multiple-dead ### 2026-08-13: Brazil police investigate teen disappearances and faction-linked murders Brazilian police are investigating the disappearances of three teenagers in Bahia and the murder of a 14-year-old in Mato Grosso, with links suspected to organized crime factions. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/missing-14-year-old-girl-found-dead-in-mato-grosso ### 2026-08-12: Brazil addresses organized crime's economic and political influence Brazilian officials and lawmakers are addressing the dual threat of organized crime, focusing on cutting off criminal financing through fuel fraud and tackling its interference in electoral processes. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-addresses-organized-crimes-economic-and-political-influence ### 2026-07-30: Brazil police actions drive surge in armed shootings, report finds Brazil's semiannual report shows police involvement rose to 39% of shootings, causing most deaths, with regional spikes in Rio and Salvador. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-report-finds-police-operations-drive-surge-in-gun-violence ### 2026-07-24: Brazil's gang violence fuels calls for police reform and more prisons Brazilian officials link gang expansion to police corruption and advocate a national security plan; a former BOPE captain cites prison growth as a tool to cut violence, urging more facilities. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazils-gang-violence-fuels-calls-for-police-reform-and-more-prisons ### 2026-07-21: Brazil criminal factions use organized kill lists amid rising violence Brazil police expose criminal factions' intelligence‑driven kill lists, while a national debate seeks solutions to the country's persistent violence crisis. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-criminal-factions-use-organized-kill-lists-amid-rising-violence --- Cite as: Brazil gang violence, political influence and security. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/brazil-gang-violence-and-security-reforms