# Infrastructure cable theft in Brazil

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/infrastructure-cable-theft-in-brazil
> Updated: 2026-10-16T19:11:05.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

Public infrastructure in Brazil is facing significant disruptions due to recurring cable theft. In Rio de Janeiro, the Traffic Engineering Company (CET-Rio) has initiated a replacement program in the Méier and Cachambi neighborhoods, substituting copper cables with orange-colored conductors marked “sem valor comercial” (no commercial value) to discourage thieves. This municipal and state-level strategy follows losses exceeding R$ 27 million in traffic signaling infrastructure.

In Rondonópolis, the Ponte do Cais has been targeted by thieves three times in recent months, resulting in cumulative losses of over R$ 90,000. Following a theft on October 9 involving 400 meters of cable, the Municipal Infrastructure Secretariat (Sinfra) has engaged security support and planned the installation of cameras through the Vigia Mais program to prevent further vandalism.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-16: Rondonópolis bridge suffers third major cable theft

Repeated thefts of electrical wiring at the Ponte do Cais in Rondonópolis have caused over R$ 90,000 in damages to public funds.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rondonpolis-bridge-suffers-third-major-cable-theft

### 2026-09-25: Rio de Janeiro replaces traffic signal cables to combat theft

CET-Rio is replacing traffic signal cables in Rio de Janeiro's Méier and Cachambi neighborhoods with non-valuable orange wiring to combat widespread cable theft.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rio-de-janeiro-replaces-traffic-signal-cables-to-combat-theft

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Cite as: Infrastructure cable theft in Brazil. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/infrastructure-cable-theft-in-brazil