SUMMARY

Comando da Paz (CP), initially known as Comissão da Paz, was created in the end of the 1990s in a jail in Salvador, Bahia state. The gang emerged as a group of inmates began to rally around Carlos da Costa, a key figure involved in the foundation of Comando Vermelho. Their collective aim was to improve conditions within the prison system. In the beginning of the 2000s, the gang started spreading across the state, as its members were transferred to different prisons in the interior of Bahia. The gang’s revenue was derived from drug trafficking within the penitentiaries, however, this operation soon extended onto the streets.

The group had a few important leaders besides da Costa, such as César Dantas “César Lobo”, Cláudio Eduardo Campanha da Silva “Pai”, Heberson Souza Santos “Pity” and Genilson Lima “Perna”. Pity managed to escape from prison in 2007, which marked the recognition of the gang’s activity. Dissent within the gang gave rise to splinter factions such as the Grupo do Perna, created after Perna left Comando da Paz. Infighting within the gang caused a weakening of the gang’s control over its territory, which allowed Bonde do Maluco (BDM) to ascend as the most dominant gang in Bahia.

Starting in 2020, the Comando Vermelho exercised its power in Bahia through Comando da Paz. With the goal of gaining more ground in the state, the gang was absorbed into Comando Vermelho, and acted as a local branch for the national gang. They were responsible for the trades conducted by Comando Vermelho in the state, and provided them with firearms and drugs. The main rivals of Comando da Paz were the PCC and BDM.

Comando da Paz has been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organized violence.