SUMMARY

Brazil's most powerful criminal organizations Comando Vermelho and PCC dominated drug trade in the country and peaceful relations were maintained by a truce. Although the groups originated in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo respectively, their power reached nationwide. In late 2016, the truce was broken after 20 years which led to an eruption of violence between the factions and their allies. The factions fight for control over drug trade in the country and control over trade routes connecting to neighboring countries such as Bolivia, Colombia and Paraguay. At first fighting was concentrated in prisons, however, a series of tit-for-tat attacks spurred further violence on the streets.

PCC and Sindicato do Crime enmity started in 2013 as Sindicato do Crime splintered from local PCC in Rio Grande do Norte state. A discontent with PCC leaders in the region and central PCC dominance, together with high membership fees were stated causes of the split. The groups still contained a quite friendly relationship until June 2015 when Sindicato do Crime killed a PCC leader in Alexandre Teodósio "Pelelê", in a prison in Natal Metropolitan region. The killing spurred further violence in Rio Grande do Norte state prisons as well as on the streets.

Sindicato do Crime later allied with Comando Vermelho and as the truce with PCC broke down, the Sindicato do Crime and PCC conflict escalated as well. On 14 January 2017, the PCC attacked Sindicato do Crime in Alcaçuz prison near Natal, killing 30 Sindicato do Crime inmates. The massacre came as part of a wave of attacks between Comando Vermelho and PCC and their allies in January 2017.

The non-state conflict between PCC and Sindicato do Crime is first included in UCDP data in 2017. On 14 January 2017, PCC carried out a massacre on Sindicato do Crime in a prison in Natal Metropolitan Region which resulted in more than 25 battle-related deaths.