Brazilian President Lula highlights historic drop in homicides, says combating violence is top priority
Sao Paulo, May 29
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday welcomed new data from the 2026 Violence Atlas, which shows that Brazil has recorded the lowest homicide rate per 100,000 inhabitants in its historical series. The report was released by the Institute for Applied Economic Research and the Brazilian Forum on Public Security.
In a post on social media, Lula said the figures reflect ongoing federal efforts to strengthen public security and reduce violent crime across the country. He noted that the 2024 reference data marks a significant improvement in key safety indicators, including intentional homicides and deaths resulting from robberies.
According to the president, Brazil also registered the lowest level of such crimes in the past decade during the first quarter of 2026, based on updated data from the Ministry of Justice and Public Security. While acknowledging that overall homicide numbers remain high, Lula said the downward trend signals progress driven by coordinated policy measures, as per the reports of Brasil 247.
He outlined several government initiatives aimed at tackling organised crime, including the Anti-Faction Law, which strengthens penalties and accelerates asset seizure from criminal groups. He also highlighted the "Brazil Against Organized Crime" programme, which is expected to invest around R$11 billion in 2026 to dismantle criminal networks and disrupt their financial structures.
Lula further pointed to the proposed Public Security Amendment currently under review in the Senate, saying it would expand federal capacity in national security coordination. He also cited the National Pact against Femicide, which he said has already produced "important results" across institutions within its first 100 days.
The president also emphasised the strengthening of federal security agencies, including the Federal Police and Federal Highway Police, with increased resources, staffing and intelligence capabilities supporting operations against drug trafficking and illicit financial flows.
International cooperation efforts were also highlighted, including the Amazon International Police Cooperation Center, which unites nine Pan-Amazon countries and nine Brazilian states to combat environmental crimes, drug trafficking and illegal mining.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good for Lula and Brazil! 🎉 But fighting crime is not just about laws—it's about jobs and education. We have similar issues in India's slums. The R$11 billion investment sounds promising, but I hope they also focus on root causes like poverty and lack of opportunity. Otherwise, it's just a bandage on a deep wound.
Hmm, trusting government data is always tricky. Look at how our own crime statistics are sometimes questioned in India. But if the trend is real, kudos to Brazil! The Amazon Police Cooperation Center is brilliant—we need something similar for the Sundarbans or our coastal borders to fight smuggling and drug trafficking. Joint efforts always beat solo acts.
The National Pact against Femicide is something India desperately needs! 😢 Our women face so much violence daily—it breaks my heart. If Brazil can show results in 100 days, why can't we? As an Indian woman, I appreciate any leader who prioritises women's safety. Lula is setting an example. Let's hope our politicians take note!
Solid progress, but I'm skeptical about the "lowest in historic series" claim—statistics can be manipulated, yaar. Remember how our own NCRB data sometimes gets questioned? Still, the Amazon Centre is a smart move. India should collaborate with Brazil on such initiatives—we both face deforestation and illegal mining issues. Bahut common challenges hain.
Finally, some good news from South America! 🌟 Brazil has long struggled with violence—this is a milestone.
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