Violence on the rise in Brazil border towns

A preliminary report by Brazil’s Institute for the Economic and Social Development of Frontiers (IDESF) reveals that the Brazilian border municipalities most severely plagued by violence are also the ones with the lowest quality rate for education and health care and with the fewest opportunities of formal employment.

“There’s a direct link between increasing violence in these places and school dropout rate, the lack of professional qualification, and opportunities for young people,” said institute head Luciano Stremel Barros.

The homicide rates, Barros argues, are startling on the national borders shared with Paraguay, between Foz do Iguaçu—Paraná state, southern Brazil—and Porto Murtinho—Mato Grosso do Sul, central Brazil.

The figures show that 99 murders were reported in Foz do Iguaçu in 2016—the equivalent of 37.5 victims for every 100 thousand people.

Proportionately, Paranhos, in Mato Grosso do Sul, is reported as the most violent among the 32 surveyed twin cities (neighboring cities located in different countries). Even though 15 killings were registered over the course of 2016, the Mato Grosso do Sul municipality, home to slightly more than 13 thousand people, has the highest rate—109.7 murders for every 100 thousand inhabitants.

The 100 thousand–inhabitants parameter is a reliable indicator as it allows the comparison between places with differently sized populations. It also neutralizes population growth, making it possible to draw comparisons in both medium and long terms. To reach a value for the rate, the number of killings occurred in the municipality over a given time span is divided by the number of inhabitants, then multiplied by 100 thousand.

The Integrated Border Monitoring System, near the border with Paraguay. (Valter Campanato/Agência Brasil) - Valter Campanato/Agência Brasil

The report further indicates that the number of homicides in border towns is lower than the figure registered in Queimados, a city just outside the capital of Rio de Janeiro. Queimados was named the most violent municipality in Brazil in the latest Violence Atlas, published by the Economic and Applied Research Institute. In the survey, Queimados appears with with a rate of 134.9 killings and violent deaths for every 100 thousand inhabitants.

“This is what the realities on the border looks like. We’re forced to cope with it, and both state and federal authorities have been made aware of it. It’s a huge challenge for all,” said Municipal Secretary of Paranhos Aldinar Ramos Dias, adding that, over all, victims do not live in the city. “The murder of people who actually live there is rare.” A high number of killings end up not being clarified, he went on to report.

Addressing the issue

The final diagnosis by IDESF on the plight of border towns is expected to be released next week. In addition to a portrait of the public security landscape, the document should bring conclusions on the four elements deemed by the institute as fundamental for the social and economic development of border cities: education, health care, employment/income, and finance.

“We would like to warn yet again that, if no integrated political strategy is implemented in frontier areas, the problem is likely to worsen, with consequences to be seen across the country,” said Luciano Stremel Barros. He went on to mention the growing power of cross-border organizations, like smuggling rings that “feed violence and help keep criminal factions armed.”

Public Security Minister Raul Jungmann visits the  Integrated Border Monitoring System. - Valter Campanato/Agência Brasil

Surveillance

Brazilian Public Security Minister Raul Jungmann announced that the federal government is currently mobilizing some 150 National Force agents in a bid to bolster border monitoring and expand the number of federal police agents in the areas. A new joint initiative with the Brazilian Air Force is also expected to be launched over the next few days.

“These are joint actions that will include the monitoring of small aircraft,” said the minister, who also argued for the earmarking of more funds for the Integrated Border Monitoring System.

*Leandro Melito contributed to this article.