Brazil: At least 42 inmates killed during prison violence in Manaus May 26-27

Event

At least 42 inmates were killed in separate prisons in Manaus (Amazonas state) during a series of attacks on Sunday, May 26, and Monday, May 27. The first incident occurred in Compaj (Anísio Jobim Penitentiary Complex) on Sunday, where 15 prisoners were killed in a suspected intergang attack. On Monday, further attacks took place at the nearby CDPM1, Ipat, and UPP (Puraquequara Prison Unit) prisons. Following the incidents on Monday, relatives of the inmates blocked roads to the prisons and protested the lack of information from officials. The BR-174 highway was reportedly blocked until the Federal Highway Police dispersed the crowds. Further demonstrations and roadblocks are possible in the area in the coming days. A heightened security presence is also expected around the prisons.

Context

Fighting between rival gangs is not uncommon in Brazilian prisons. In 2017, almost 150 prisoners were killed during three weeks of violence in facilities in northern and northeastern Brazil.

Advice

Individuals in Manaus, and Brazil more generally, are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests as a precaution, and obey all instructions issued by the local authorities.