Brazil sends 200 troops to control lethal violence sparked by police strike

[tenorly]

Source: The Guardian

Brazil’s president has ordered 200 troops to the south-eastern state of Espírito Santo, where a police strike in recent days sparked a wave of violence including what is already believed to be dozens of murders.

The crime surge in Espírito Santo, a small coastal state just north of Rio de Janeiro, began over the weekend, after police on Friday stopped work because of the pay dispute. Since then, local media and citizens with cellphone videos have broadcast scenes of chaos - particularly in state capital Vitoria and its suburbs, home to about two million people.

Local media reported that as many as 50 people have died during the period, an unusually high death toll for the state in such a short period. But a state security spokesman said the government has not been able to make an official tally. Schools in the area closed, as did public health clinics and other local offices.

The law enforcement stoppage in a state struggling with a budget shortfall is the latest example of how depleted public finances, amid Brazil’s worst recession on record, are crippling even basic health services, education and security in some states. President Michel Temer, who also authorized the use of federal troops to quell uprisings in prisons last month that led to around 140 deaths in various states, dispatched the country’s defense minister to Espírito Santo on Monday.

Several other Brazilian states are grappling with a financial crisis. In Rio de Janeiro, the state government has been struggling to pay expenses including salaries of police, teachers and doctors and basic supplies for schools and hospitals.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/06/brazil-police-strike-crimewave-troops-espirito-santo

[Judi Lynn]

1. The Parliamentary coup led by Temer supporters has done wonders, hasn't it?

It's good to see European media are covering this ugly turn in what used to be Brazil's government.

Brazilian people are not getting the most essential services they should be able to expect. This is hideous.

It sounds as if it's most definitely going to get a whole lot worse. The fascists are getting what they've been craving, a return to the US-supported brutal dictatorship.

Hard times in Brazil don't bother the 1%, they can all afford their own bodyguards, and to hell with everyone else, apparently.

Thanks for spotting this information.

[tenorly]

2. It's amazing how quickly things have deteriorated since Dilma was suspended, then illegally impeachd

I know a couple of acquaintances who moved to Rio a couple of years ago "because it's fun." I'd really see about moving back if were they.

By the way, I really enjoyed to your reply to the IACHR nominee story, Judi (http://www.democraticunderground.com/110854578#post1). A couple of real "goodfellas" aren't they.

[Judi Lynn]

3. Police Strike in Esprito Santo Leads to Wave of Violence

02/07/2017 - 13H21


FROM SÃO PAULO
IN COLLABORATION WITH FOLHA, IN VITÓRIA
FROM BELO HORIZONTE
FROM BRASÍLIA


A police strike in Espírito Santo has led to a wave of violence, marked by deaths, looting, suspension of school classes, suspension of public transport services and the closing of shopping malls in the metropolitan area of Vitória, the state capital.

With violence on the rise after the strike unfolded on Friday (the 3rd), the state of Espírito Santo requested support from the Brazilian Army and the National Guard.

The federal government is planning on deploying a National Guard squad made up of 200 men, along with army officers who started policing the city's streets early Monday night (the 6th).

According to the state's civil police union, 52 homicides have been registered in the state since Saturday (the 4th) - the average homicide rate in Espírito Santo is 4 per day.

More:
http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/internacional/en/brazil/2017/02/1856524-police-go-on-strike-in-espirito-santo-leading-to-wave-of-violence.shtml