At least six towns in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, in northeastern Brazil, were hit overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday by a series of attacks perpetrated by gangs who have been spreading terror for two days, including by burning vehicles or shooting at public buildings, according to the authorities.
The previous night (Monday to Tuesday), twenty cities in this poor state of around 3.5 million inhabitants had already been affected by this wave of violence which left two dead.
Police mobilized
Despite a reinforcement of the security device on Tuesday, the attacks continued last night, in particular in Natal, the capital of Rio Grande do Norte.
Images on social media and local media show buses, trucks and cars in flames, as well as police stations or other public buildings riddled with bullets.
The Minister of Justice and Public Security, Flavio Dino, announced on Twitter on Wednesday the dispatch of "
220 police officers to come to the aid of the security forces of this State
", and stressed that other reinforcements could be deployed. if necessary.
According to the G1 news site citing police sources, two individuals died in exchanges of fire with the police, two others were injured and 30 were arrested.
Reprisals
According to local authorities, these attacks are reprisals from criminal groups after a tightening of surveillance in the prisons of Rio Grande do Norte.
A seizure of drugs and weapons was also made during a recent police operation.
“
It is a reaction of organized crime to the firm measures adopted in prisons to deal with crime and violence
,” Governor Fatima Bezerra said in an interview with CNN Brazil.
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A federal agency for the prevention of violence in prison reports particularly “
inhuman and degrading
” conditions of detention in penitentiary establishments in Rio Grande do Norte, citing in particular cases of torture and spoiled food, according to G1.
"
The State has a duty to guarantee the rights of detainees, but in the face of attacks like the ones that are taking place at the moment, these rights will be more and more reduced", warned
Francisco Canindé de Araujo, Secretary of Security of the Rio Grande do Norte, during an interview at the Uol site.
In Brazil, some criminal groups that operate in drug trafficking are commanded by their leaders from prisons.
Rebellions or clashes between members of rival factions have already left dozens dead in Brazilian prisons.
