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Vice Blog

Brazil Issue extras: The militia master

By now you'll have already learnt all about Rio's militias from this article and you'll be begging for more information. Luckily, I spoke to Rafael Dias from Global Justice, an expert researcher on the militias.

Vice: So how long have people been defining these criminals as "militias"?
Rafael Dias: The term "militias" started to be used more around 2006. These groups were beginning to dominate areas in the western zone of Rio. The term was consolidated following the attacks on the city towards the end of December 2006, which were attributed to protest from certain "narco-trafficking" factions against the rise of the militias. A report from the city's government intelligence agency identified 92 communities that were dominated by militias.

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What is the definition of a militia in reference to Rio de Janeiro today then?
The militias are groups that control several communities in Rio de Janeiro, mostly in areas like Campo Grande and Jacarepagua, through armed coercion. From 2004, these groups increased their influence through their connections with state and municipal governments, who treat their crimes as a "lesser evil", as well as an auxiliary tool in the fight against drug trafficking. The relationship between militias and higher powers becomes evident when these groups use, with some frequency, vehicles and arms belonging to the state and count on the collaboration of police forces to dominate communities in Rio de Janeiro.

Who are they?
The groups are mostly made up of military and civil police, ex-policemen, firemen, security guards and prison guards – essentially state agents. This is what happens when you privatise public security, the public agents begin to function within a privatised logic, like a criminal organisation.

Do you think they genuinely aim to rid the favelas of drug cartels and drug crime, or to take them over?
The phenomenon is very dynamic and at the moment we have reports of militias who are actively involved in drug trafficking. The latest statistics have shown that they dominate around 200 communities in Rio de Janeiro. Their main goals are to economically control the poor communities.

What kind of criminal activities do the militias carry out?
They are responsible for the most varied forms of crimes – creation of gangs, murders, beatings and grievous bodily harm, importing illegal arms, intimidation and extortion. The militias pursue residents' association leaders as well as militant social workers who oppose them. They promote the violent coercion organisations that fight for the rights of favela dwellers.

How do they go about becoming the rulers of whole areas of the city?
Often they count on the complicity of the police forces, using rifles and other heavy weapons. The militiamen patrol the areas they dominate and erect checkpoints in the roads to control traffic. They search the people that live in the areas and in some places they even enforce curfews. One of the militia groups is known for executing its enemies by shooting them in the face to disfigure them and make identification difficult. It's a common thing for bodies to disappear. The number of disappearances in the state of Rio de Janeiro in 2008 increased by 9.5 percent compared to the previous year because of this. Wow, that's a big jump. What are the main groups in Rio?
The main ones are in the Western Zone of the city, but they spread quickly to other areas and cities nearby, such as Baixada Fluminense. Some well-known militias in the city are the "Justice League" in Campo Grande, the "Galaticos", and the militia in Rio das Pedras.

So at least tell me they kicked out the drug dealers.
Well, in some areas, but at first people thought these groups would liberate the favelas from drug trafficking and violence… but this proved to be a false promise. These groups live off the communities and charge fees for security. Their policy is basically: "We will protect you, from us". These people are being submitted to an elevated degree of violence and extortion. The "heroic ideal" no longer fools anyone.

To find out more about militias check out the new VBS show.

BRUNO BAYLEY