Brazil Advances River Piracy Bill Amid Broader Public Security Discussions

The Brazilian Public Security Commission has approved a significant bill targeting intensified policing on the country's rivers to combat piracy and trafficking. The bill, PL 4.513/2024, authored by Senator Sérgio Petecão and reported by Senator Márcio Bittar, seeks to enhance investigations into drug, arms, and wood trafficking on waterways. Following its approval by the commission, the proposal will advance to the Chamber of Deputies unless a Senate plenary evaluation is requested.

Simultaneously, on November 13, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva convened a meeting with key ministers, including Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and ministers Rui Costa, Ricardo Lewandowski, and Fernando Haddad, to address broader public security challenges. The meeting focused on the ongoing negotiations regarding the Marco Legal de Combate ao Crime Organizado, a legislative framework designed to strengthen the fight against organized crime in Brazil.

Originally slated for a vote on October 12, the crime bill was postponed to allow further discussion. Latest revisions by rapporteur Deputy Guilherme Derrite introduced mechanisms to fund the Federal Police (PF) from seized assets during investigations — directing resources to Funapol, which finances PF operations. Although these changes aim to address government concerns, PT leader Lindbergh Farias criticized the bill, claiming it still reduces the PF’s budget and undermines national sovereignty.

These concurrent legislative and executive efforts highlight Brazil’s commitment to ramping up public security through targeted policing on waterways and structural reforms aimed at combating organized crime. The river policing bill specifically confronts piracy and trafficking, while the larger crime framework seeks to bolster federal law enforcement capacities amidst complex security challenges in 2025.