The Cop, The Trafficker, the Militiaman: Interviews by Rio's Viva Favela

Currently, it is the Western Zone where the public authorities annd the militias have their closest ties. At least two state deputies and three city legislators have a political monopoly in the area, and this group is in the midst of a full-bore expansion of its territory and a bid to increase the number of its representatives in the city legislature in the 2008 elections.

See also

Rio: "Armed Groups Interfere With Freedom of Association"

Vozes paralelas: Carlos Costa of Viva Favela (Rio de Janeiro) interviews (1) a Rio de Janeiro cop, (2) a Rio fireman from a militia [illegal paramilitary protection scheme] in the Western Zone, and (3) a leader of the drug traffic, about their relationships to community leaders in communities where they operate.

Fascinating interviews, all of them.

At issue is the murder, apparently by militiamen, of the community leader they installed at the Kelson's shantytown, and later expelled. The man gave interviews to O Globo and the Estado de S. Paulo newspapers detailing what he said were more than 200 summary executions since December 2006.

See also:

Rio: Arrests Made in Bid to Account for the Mutilated, "Microwaved" Corpse of Shantytown Community Leader

"Vigilantes Impose Peace in Rio Slums"

Rio: "Militias Give a False Impression of Peace"