SUMMARY

From 2007 until 2016, the state of Maranhão saw Bonde dos 40 and PCM behind a rising homicide rate. Yet, this figure changed in 2016 after the rupture between Comando Vermelho and PCC. Following the split, both gangs formed alliances with local criminal organizations across the country, which resulted in bloodshed across Brazil, particularly in the North and Northeastern regions.

By late 2016, PCM was severely weakened after internal disputes, repeated attacks from rivals, and arrests carried out by the police, which damaged its structure. Many of its members then sought refuge under Comando Vermelho’s ranks or joined other gangs. As a result of this erosion, PCM was disbanded in 2017, while Comando Vermelho grew stronger in Maranhão.

During this time, Bonde dos 40 intensified its hostilities towards Comando Vermelho, especially as the group welcomed several of its enemies from PCM. By mid-2017, Bonde dos 40 allied itself with one of Comando Vermelho’s main rivals, Amigos dos Amigos, a then-allied of PCC. This strategic partnership provided Bonde dos 40 with crucial support in acquiring drugs and weaponry in its fight against Comando Vermelho.

However, in the following years, Amigos dos Amigos gradually waned and lost its former strength, which compromised its partnership with Bonde dos 40. Nevertheless, the group from Maranhão continued its hostilities towards Comando Vermelho. Their rivalry intensified as Bonde dos 40 sought to expand its domains, resulting in a bloody conflict over drug routes, territories, and consumer markets.

The non-state conflict between Bonde dos 40 and Comando Vermelho was first included in UCDP data in 2021 when violent clashes flared up in the state, resulting in over 25 deaths.