The Rise and Reign of Comando Vermelho: Rio de Janeiro's Most Notorious Crime Syndicate

The Comando Vermelho, or Red Command, emerged from an unlikely alliance during Brazil's dictatorship in 1979, combining the efforts of common criminals and political prisoners. Although its name evokes a certain camaraderie, it also reflects the bloodthirsty reputation that the group has cultivated, establishing itself as the most powerful criminal faction in Rio de Janeiro and the second most powerful in Brazil. In recent history, the CV has become notorious for its extreme violence and defiance against law enforcement, distinguishing itself from rival criminal organizations such as the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), which operates predominantly in São Paulo. Ignacio Cano, a scholar of organized crime from the State University of Rio de Janeiro, highlights the group’s aggressive tactics. Any police operation aimed at infiltrating CV strongholds is met with unrestrained retaliation, showcasing the faction's willingness to engage in direct, violent confrontation. This was evident in a recent operation that tragically resulted in 132 deaths—the most significant massacre in Brazil's history. Despite the intensity and duration of gunfire, the operation failed to detain Edgar Alves Andrade, the CV's top leader. Andrade's infamy is shrouded in a history of violence, attributed with orchestrating numerous murders, including the horrific torture and deaths of three children over a minor infraction. The group's control extends beyond violent crime; they impose an ironclad law within the favelas, utilizing brutal measures to punish dissent. The importance of community and fear plays into the dynamics of power as they govern through terror, ensuring compliance from local residents. Historically, the CV gained momentum in the late 1970s by pooling resources for prison escapes and defending inmates' rights. However, as drug trafficking proved to be more lucrative, they shifted their focus from bank robberies to establishing a presence in the drug trade, starting with marijuana and eventually expanding to cocaine and arms trafficking. Presently, they boast approximately 30,000 members, many of whom are impoverished youths from the favelas. In the last decade, the CV’s influence has spread across Brazil, thanks to strategic alliances with other regional groups. The deadly rivalry with the PCC often results in violent clashes, but the dynamics have shifted. The CV has regained territories they lost to rival gangs through calculated violence, reconquering neighborhoods and solidifying their presence throughout the country. The governor of Rio de Janeiro's recent authorization to conduct a violent police operation against the CV reflects the authority's desperation to regain control over the spiraling violence. Yet, throwing officers into the heart of the CV's stronghold, nestled within a population of 300,000, often leads to catastrophic civilian casualties, drawing comparisons with violent conflict zones around the world. While the CV remains a formidable force in Rio, its rivalry with the PCC demonstrates interesting contrasts in operational strategies. The PCC operates with a stricter hierarchical structure, allowing them to target legitimate businesses without unnecessary violence. In contrast, the more fluid structure of the CV leads to frequent territorial struggles and violent eruptions as they fight to maintain dominance over new and previously held areas. The brutal reality of life in Rio de Janeiro’s favelas is intertwined with this conflict. Young locals often find themselves entwined in a system that offers limited pathways to escape poverty, serving as pawns in the ongoing power dynamics of two of Brazil's most notorious criminal organizations. As the Comando Vermelho continues to adapt and expand its network, the conversation around organized crime in Brazil remains urgent, evolving against the backdrop of political elections and socioeconomic challenges. The cycle of violence perpetrated by groups like the CV and the PCC raises pressing questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement strategies and the deeper societal issues that fuel such conflicts. With the ongoing struggle for power, the hope for a peaceful resolution seems increasingly distant, deeply entrenched in the fabric of Brazilian society. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2