SUMMARY

Brazil’s proximity to the cocaine-producing countries Bolivia, Colombia and Peru, has created the perfect conditions for distribution and transition of drugs. Starting in the 1980s Rio de Janeiro gangs started capitalizing upon this opportunity, thus rivalry between them arose. These gangs gained control in the many favelas of Rio de Janeiro, areas that often were neglected by the state, which became bases for their criminal activities. The leadership of these gangs are typically of a decentralized form, every favela led by a drug boss, yet the organization within the favelas is strictly hierarchical.

Every now and then, the gangs seek to expand their territory and invade the “boca do fumo”, the point of sales, in favelas controlled by other gangs. This rivalry has led to deeply entrenched animosity between gangs and the creation of several factions fighting to make a profit from drug trafficking. In order to consolidate their power in the favelas, the gangs often replaced the state by providing security and economic support for the inhabitants. In addition to this, the gangs often got support from corrupt police, who were paid to ignore their activities.

The Comando Vermelho and the [Terceiro Comando Puro](/#actor/4462] are two criminal organizations fighting for control of drug trafficking in Rio de Janeiro’s favelas. Clashes between them typically occurred as one gang attempted to invade areas dominated by other gangs and shootings lasted for hours. As these shootouts take place in the favelas the inhabitants of the areas are especially exposed as they often get caught in the crossfire.

The non-state conflict between the Comando Vermelho and the [Terceiro Comando Puro](/#actor/4462] is first included in UCDP data in 2011. Between May and September that year 31 people were killed in the fighting which led the conflict to cross the 25 deaths threshold.