Brazilian President Announces Security Overhaul and Local Response to Riots
The presidency announced a major change in how security is managed across the capital and its surrounding regions. A new controller named Ricardo Capelli will take charge as Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice. He will oversee the entire security portfolio and is expected to be in Brasilia by January 31, reporting directly to the president. This move places the capital’s police departments under a single supervisory authority who answers solely to the president, with the aim of streamlining operations and increasing accountability at the highest level.
The intervention expands the powers of the Regional Government of Brasilia, granting it authority to request funds and access assets needed to perform its duties. This consolidation appears to be formalized through a decree read aloud by the president, signaling a shift in governance patterns for the security apparatus and its budgetary controls. As the decree takes effect, the newly empowered supervisor will coordinate across agencies to implement policy, execute directives, and monitor performance throughout the region.
The president emphasized that the person responsible for security in Brazil must meet the highest standards of duty and service. He indicated that a previous security leadership did not fulfill expectations, and he did not mince words about the consequences for those who fail in their responsibilities. In his remarks, he also criticized factions described as fascists occupying spaces and causing damage to property in several locations across the country, including the building infrastructure where tensions had escalated. He asserted that those radicals, and the networks and individuals who supported them, would answer for their actions under the full force of law, underscoring the seriousness of the government’s stance on public order.
The president also condemned the graffiti and vandalism observed during the unrest, noting that the damage extended to several of the country’s security venues and essential services. He argued that the riots were fueled by external influences and local actors alike, and he called on authorities to pursue all responsible parties with the full authority of the legal system. The aim, he stated, is to restore normalcy and ensure that security forces can operate without interference while maintaining the rights of citizens to peaceable assembly and expression, provided laws are respected and violence is avoided.
On the same day, the president paid a visit to Araraquara in the interior of the state of Sao Paulo. The trip was focused on assessing the impact of heavy rains that have battered the area in recent days. Local officials reported extensive flood damage, road hazards, and disruptions to daily life for residents. The visit highlighted the government’s broader commitment to responding promptly to natural disasters and supporting communities as they recover. In Araraquara, regional authorities discussed relief measures, infrastructure repairs, and the coordination needed to expedite assistance to affected families. This expedition underscored the administration’s intent to address both security challenges and humanitarian needs in parallel, signaling a multi-pronged approach to governance during a period of rising public concern about safety and resilience in the wake of extreme weather and political unrest. (Source: national press briefings and regional reports)