Brazil: State of emergency in Rio Grande do Norte (police strike) /update 2

Event

Thousands of civil and military police officers remain on strike in Rio Grande do Norte state (capital Natal), leading the local government to declare a state of emergency on Saturday, January 6, amid a spike in violence. The measure, which allows the government to redirect state resources to address security issues, is set to remain in place for a period of 180 days. Nevertheless, at least 13 murders were reported statewide over the weekend January 6-7.

Context

Police officers launched the strike December 19-20 after reportedly not receiving pay for several weeks. Some 2800 soldiers have already been deployed to the state to address security concerns. A similar strike occurred in Espírito Santo state February 3-10, 2017, during which time the state experienced a significant increase in violence, with at least 120 homicides reported. The Brazilian military was also deployed to the region in an effort to curb the violence, but the additional soldiers had little effect on security conditions.

Advice

Individuals present in the state are advised to remain vigilant, conceal all signs of wealth to avoid attracting the attention of would-be thieves, and avoid entering favelas (slums; often located in very close proximity to more affluent neighborhoods). Keep in mind that criminals are often armed; never offer resistance if assaulted.