Organized crime biggest threat against Brazilian society

In a statement made Tuesday (Aug 1), Sérgio Etchegoyen, head of the president's institutional security, said the main threat facing Brazilian society is organized crime. In his view, the situation concerning public security in the country is going through “extraordinary times” that require “extraordinary solutions,” to be found in observance of the democratic rule of law. Etchegoyen stressed that the problem goes beyond drug trafficking, and also comprises “the black gun market, money laundering, and the traffic of persons and natural goods.”

While speaking at the opening of the debate Encontro Brasil de Ideias, in Rio de Janeiro, he reiterated that the measures being adopted will not show results in the long run, as the solutions aimed at are definitive.

Etchegoyen explained how the integration of the agencies under the National Security Plan is to be achieved, and highlighted that the national borders are among the main concerns in preserving security in major urban centers like Rio e Janeiro.

Even rich countries like the US, he said, have a hard time stopping smuggling on national borders. Etchegoyen went on to advocate joint efforts with neighboring countries such as Paraguay, Colombia, and Peru.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira