More World Cup Security Worries and More Protests

Hi there.  A very good morning to you and my thanks to you for dropping in on the Blog once more....or for the first time, if new.  Either way, you are most welcome and I hope you will consider looking in again in the future.

In yesterday's first post we spoke about the Black Boc 'anarchist' group and their apparent intent to disrupt next year's soccer World Cup.  Well, it seems they may have to get in line!

Media reports from various outlets today warn of concerns that the prison based PCC group (Primeiro Comando da Capital) may seek to mount 'terror' attacks during the World Cup.  The PCC was formed in 1993 to run a protection racket to secure better conditions and privileges in Sao Paulo prisons, but has grown into a major drugs/crime cartel.  The majority of its leadership is reported to be in Sao Paulo jails, where it is thought they number 6,000 members behind bars with 1,600 operating on the streets of the City.  Elsewhere in Brazil, it is believed they claim about 3,500 additional members.  The group's primary role is now said to be drugs trafficking, earning an estimated R$8million a month from that source with around R$2million from other activities.  An estimated monthly income of around R$10million (over $4.5million a month).

The group is said to have ordered 'terror attacks' to be mounted against the World Cup in 2014 in response to moves by the authorities to move PCC leaders to 'harder' jails.  The information is reported to have come from monitoring the leaders' cell phones as part of a three year enquiry into the group and its alleged association with police and other officials, conducted by a specialist Federal law enforcement agency.  The Rio Times reports that the enquiry may result in 175 people being accused of collusion with the group.

The PCC's bloody history suggests that the threats against the World Cup should not be taken lightly.  A police crack down on drugs in 2012 is alleged to have resulted in the prison based leadership ordering retaliation in which 154 people were murdered in Sao Paulo, between 24 October and November 12.  Most of those killed were police officers and officials.  Prior to that, in response to a 2006 dispute with authorities, media organisations claim that between 200 and 500 people were murdered by the group in Sao Paulo alone.  In retaliation for a relative of his being shot while resisting arrest in Sao Paulo, one of the PCC's leaders is alleged to have ordered the killing of police officers and family members.  News reports claim 104 were murdered at his order and the leader has since been moved to a prison in the Amazon region.  The PCC appears to be capable, calculating, connected and ruthless.

The only positive news is that Federal Authorities seem to have accessed the group's plans relatively early and, one assumes, know a great deal about them than they are making public.  We shall have to hope that the specialist law enforcement elements in Brazil will be able to deter or disrupt any planned attacks.

Striking teachers took to the streets again in support of their long running fight for better pay and working conditions in both Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, last night.  Teachers have been on strike in Rio since 08 August.  Thousands turned out in the two cities and, as was the case last Tuesday, the official demonstrations and marches passed off peacefully....then other elements appeared to move in, take over and vandalism and clashes with police followed.  The latter action is being put at the door of the Black Bloc group, about whom we spoke yesterday.  In Rio, shops were ransacked, petrol bombs were thrown at police, a police car was set on fire and there was minor damage to the USA's Consulate with 'down with the dictatorship' being spray painted on its walls (in Portuguese).  In Sao Paulo, seven banks were vandalised.  The events underlined the concerns relating to the Black Bloc's apparent intent to disrupt the World Cup, about which we spoke yesterday.  The Bloc's Facebook page is reported to have over 50,000 'likes' and one teacher who was interviewed yesterday said that, while he didn't agree with their actions, he was pleased to see the Bloc turn out in support of the teachers as it drew attention and added weight to their protests.

Such examples of at least tacit approval of elements such as Black Bloc should concern the Government as it looks to next year, with the World Cup and the general election.  It has to ensure that it minimises the risk of any widespread public protests in support of the grievances aired in last June's awakening.  Broad based civil demonstrations or civil disorder will afford groups like the Black Bloc the ideal spring board, and they would claim justification, for violence and disruption as well as sending the worst possible message to the rest of the world; it's one thing if disruption results from a small group of violent anarchists, but quite another if such disruption is seems as resulting from the legitimate concerns of the general population.  Policing such situations is always complex and demanding but, in light of the PCC's threat, it may also have to be conducted under threat of 'terror' attacks from the.  Worrying times.

Well, that's it for today and I am most grateful to you for joining me.  I do hope I shall see you again.

Until then, stay safe.

Dave

(Note - the schedule for posts on this Blog will be a daily review of items from the news Mon - Fri, to hit the screen late morning/early afternoon Brazil time, and second posts on Tue and Thu late afternoons/early evenings that will address 'softer' issues of Brazilian life and culture and the life experience of living here....my other Blog will take up my afternoons on Mon, Wed and Fri)