Brazil Unveils R$11 Billion Plan to Fight Organized Crime

Overview

• The federal program, unveiled Tuesday at the Planalto, combines R$1.06 billion in 2026 budget funds with up to R$10 billion in BNDES loans that states can access if they sign onto the plan’s rules.
• A decree and four implementing orders set four fronts of action that target criminal finances, raise prison security, lift homicide case clearance, and curb gun trafficking through a national FICCO, stronger financial‑intelligence committees, unified genetic databases, and centralized auctions of seized assets.
• Prison upgrades will focus on 138 state facilities that officials say hold about 80% of faction leaders, with working cellphone jammers, body scanners, drones, and tunnel‑detection radars to cut command signals from inside cells.
• Homicide investigations will get new tools and common reporting standards as the government seeks to improve a clearance rate cited at about 36% by investing in forensic labs, DNA equipment, refrigerated vehicles, and shared data systems.
• On the same day, Lula signed a provisional measure to zero the 20% import tax on personal purchases up to US$50, and Congress scheduled this week’s hearings with ministers Dario Durigan and Guilherme Boulos on a proposed shift from the 6x1 workweek.