Lula Government Addresses Rio’s Security Requests Following Castro’s Remarks
In the wake of escalating violence in Rio de Janeiro, the Lula administration has addressed security requests from local authorities. Governor Cláudio Castro has pointed out that assistance from the federal government has been insufficient, particularly regarding operations intended to combat crime.
Lula Government’s Response to Security Requests in Rio
Following comments from Governor Cláudio Castro, who expressed that his requests for assistance had been ignored multiple times, the Ministry of Justice issued a statement affirming its commitment to supporting Rio’s security efforts.
Governor’s Assistance Requests
- Governor Cláudio Castro has made three requests for armed vehicle assistance from the federal government.
- These requests were explicitly denied each time, according to Castro.
- Castro confirmed that no support had been asked for the recent operation that culminated in over 60 fatalities.
Federal Efforts and Operations
The Ministry of Justice clarified that it has actively engaged with the state since October 2023. This involvement has been through the deployment of the National Public Security Force (Força Nacional de Segurança Pública).
- Since the beginning of 2023, 11 requests from Rio’s government to renew deployment of the National Public Security Force have been honored.
- The Federal Police executed 178 operations in Rio de Janeiro in 2025, with a focus on drug and weapon trafficking.
- These operations resulted in 210 arrests, including 60 linked directly to trafficking investigations.
Despite these federal initiatives, the local government continues to express urgent needs for more robust support in maintaining safety and security in Rio. The ongoing dialogue highlights the complexities of crime control in one of Brazil’s most troubled regions.
