U.S.-Rio de Janeiro Connection: The Machinery of Global Drug Control
Priscila Villela and Paulo J. R. Pereira - 1
The large-scale operation in Rio de Janeiro carried out on October 28, which has already left at least 121 people dead and once again laid bare the logic of war applied to poverty, should not be understood solely as a local public-security issue.
It is part of a global control...
”It’s state terror / I’m gonna speak up / Maybe my time’s up / The world doesn’t accept trophies I’ve won in battle … / That’s why there’s hate in my words / Explain to a child why his hero is behind bars.”— lyrics from “Anti O.R.U.A.M. Law,” by...
Private interests and foreign influence helped to pave the path toward Brazil’s military dictatorship (1964-1985). The armed forces is not an institution separate from society...It’s a reflection of that violent and authoritarian society. However, they are more dangerous because they have the prerogative to legally use firearms.
—Priscila Brandão
An...
Ten U.S. presidents, 20 CIA directors, and 56 years of covert action screwed over Brazil’s poor and paved the way for the election of Jair Bolsonaro
Covid-19, murder, evangelical Christianity, crime, environmental destruction, drugs, shantytowns, inequality, corruption, doesn’t matter what you pick, Brazil is a world leader in them all—and...
“Your Son Hasn’t Fled the Struggle:” Interview with a Grassroot Activist From Bahia On Brazil’s 2026 Presidential Election
Julian Cola - 0
The magnitude, distinction and dramatic contradictions in the turnaround 2026 presidential election victory of Luíz Inácio Lula da Silva warrants this and other grass-root analysis. Claiming a historic fourth term as Brazil’s head of state, this time defeating the now-fugitive son of the coup-attempt, convicted and disgraced former president,...
Big Tech Keeps Withholding Data that Could Help Solve Assassination of Rio de Janeiro Councilwoman Marielle Franco
Julian Cola - 2
“In a serious country we wouldn’t have an investigation dragging on for four years,”— Marinete da Silva, mother of slain Rio de Janeiro city councilwoman Marielle Franco.
RIO DE JANEIRO – Four-plus years after the assassination of Rio de Janeiro councilwoman Marielle Franco (38), social media giant Facebook has yet...
“This pact exists throughout Brazil. It’s not privileged to Rio de Janeiro. Truth be said, it’s a very organic, structured relationship between Rio de Janeiro politicians, militia groups and the police.
How does it function?
Militias control growing amounts of territory. Approximately one million to 1.9 million people (in Rio...
In private talks with their Brazilian counterparts, U.S. diplomats have expressed interest in resuming unrestricted access and use of air base installations in Natal, capital of the northeastern state of Rio Grande do Norte, as well as on the island of Fernando de Noronha.
Their central argument involves the so-called...
Is Lula Under Threat? Political Intrigue Grows As Right Suddenly Merges With Left In Brazil’s Upcoming Presidential Election
Julian Cola - 5
“It’s also in your hands to prevent the return of corruption and robbery to take hold of the country…It’s you who can prevent the release of a prisoner convicted of corruption”
—Geraldo Alckmin speaking during his 2018 presidential campaign. Four years on, the former governor of São Paulo is...
CovertAction Bulletin: Lula Da Silva Says ‘It’s Only a Matter of Time’ Heading Into the Second Round of Brazilian Elections
Rachel Hu and Chris Garaffa - 0
The elections in Brazil are underway with the first round of votes coming in; leftist candidate Lula De Silva taking 48% of the votes with far-right candidate Bolsonaro behind with 43% of votes. All eyes are on Brazil as the pink tide spreads further across Latin America. We speak with Zoe Alexandra of People’s Dispatch who is on the ground now in Brazil to share with us the mood on the ground and what the results of this first round of voting means for the leftist future in Brazil...









