Homicides Surge 260% in Northern Brazil Amid Rising Criminal Faction Influence and Environmental Conflict
Northern Brazil faces a sharp rise in homicides and criminal faction activity, driven by historical neglect, illegal occupations, and drug trafficking escalation.
- • Homicides rose 260% in Northern Brazil, linked to historical socio-political neglect and economic exploitation.
- • Criminal factions CV and PCC have expanded influence, fueled by increased cocaine trafficking with a 574.4% rise in seizures (2019-2024).
- • Illegal occupation of protected Amazon areas reaches approximately 8,400 rural properties, worsening environmental and indigenous conflicts.
- • State violence and governance vacuum contribute to instability, with Amapá recording Brazil's highest police intervention death rate in 2023.
Key details
Northern Brazil is witnessing a drastic 260% increase in homicides, propelled by deep-rooted historical conflicts, expanding criminal faction influence, and environmental degradation, according to a report by political scientist Maria Paula Gomes dos Santos from Ipea.
The region’s turmoil traces back to the early 20th century when the collapse of the rubber market left waves of migrants abandoned and forced into unsustainable resource extraction. The military dictatorship from 1964 to 1985 compounded issues through aggressive infrastructure projects that disregarded indigenous rights and environmental preservation, igniting longstanding disputes among farmers, indigenous peoples, and miners. A significant governance vacuum emerged after a 1971 decree transferred jurisdiction of key Amazon areas to the federal government, facilitating illegal occupations and activities in protected lands. Present studies reveal approximately 8,400 rural properties illegally overlap with conservation areas.
Criminal factions such as Comando Vermelho (CV) and Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) have expanded their grip across Northern states, particularly along cocaine trafficking routes, intensifying violence. Sociologist Pedro Henrique Coelho Rapozo notes that the decline of Colombian groups like FARC and ELN has left a power void filled by Brazilian factions. Cocaine seizures in the Amazon soared by 574.4% between 2019 and 2024, highlighting the surge in drug trafficking.
The state's response has sometimes exacerbated violence. Amapá recorded the highest police intervention death rate nationwide in 2023. The intricate nexus of criminal enterprises, environmental crimes—including illegal mining in indigenous territories—and socio-economic instability continues to destabilize the region.
This multifaceted crisis underscores the need for urgent government action to implement robust policies that address organized crime, protect indigenous lands, and support vulnerable communities confronting escalating violence and exploitation.
"The political and social fabric of Northern Brazil is being torn apart by overlapping crises," Maria Paula Gomes dos Santos said, emphasizing the challenge of restoring governance and security to the Amazon. Pedro Henrique Coelho Rapozo added, "The region is a battleground for emerging criminal networks taking over from traditional groups, demanding comprehensive strategies beyond enforcement."
The alarming rise in homicide rates and criminal dominance marks a critical juncture for public safety and environmental preservation efforts in one of Brazil’s most vital and historically marginalized regions.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.