Brazil's Election Hinges on Crime, But Residents Forge Their Own Solutions

Crime has emerged as the paramount concern for Brazilians heading into the October presidential election, with candidates vying to present the most effective strategies to combat the pervasive issue. The contest pits Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, against incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, with both promising to curb the influence of organized crime, particularly in Rio de Janeiro.

Last year, Rio experienced its deadliest police operation, resulting in over 120 deaths. Post-operation polls suggested public support for the hard-line policies advocated by Senator Bolsonaro. President Lula, conversely, has emphasized a greater role for the federal government in crime prevention and enhanced coordination among state institutions.

Amidst the political discourse, Rio de Janeiro's residents are developing their own approaches. Former traffickers are producing podcasts, and mothers who have lost children to violence are actively working to prevent youth recruitment into gangs.

Many residents, community leaders, and experts contend that the prevailing strategy, which centers on armed confrontations between police and criminal groups, is ineffective and frequently leads to indiscriminate loss of life. They are taking independent action to address the problem.

One initiative, "01 Sobreviventes" (01 Survivors), features former drug traffickers discussing their past lives and those of their guests in a small recording studio. Host Fábio Santos, an ex-trafficker who spent 25 years in prison, stated, "We want to propagate the idea that crime isn’t worth it." The podcast, launched in 2024 and boasting over 225,000 Instagram followers, aims to show individuals the negative consequences of crime, emphasizing prison, severe injury, or death.

Alan Duarte, who lost ten family members to violence, founded "Abraco Campeao" (Embrace Champions) in 2014. The nonprofit offers martial arts classes, including boxing, jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, and capoeira, alongside educational talks, aiming to provide alternatives to gang involvement. Duarte believes martial arts offer youth the same sense of identity, respect, and belonging that gangs provide. The program, which currently serves 600 students, provides free classes, uniforms, and equipment.

Vanderson Rocha Silva runs "R3," a therapeutic community offering psychological support and vocational training, including free electricity, refrigeration, and English courses. Having left a life of drug-trafficking himself, Rocha Silva believes that providing employment opportunities is crucial for those seeking to leave crime. "If they want to leave crime but they don’t have an employment opportunity, any hopes for life, what are they supposed to do? A project changes everything," he said.

Nadia dos Santos is continuing her son Cleyverson's social project, which now focuses on helping youth under 26 secure jobs and training. Cleyverson was killed by police in 2022 at age 17. Dos Santos plans to establish a headquarters for the project in a house she owns, which will include a computer room and a community food center. At a recent event honoring her son, other mothers called for a change in Rio's security approach, attributing youth gang involvement to a lack of educational, recreational, and employment options.