Brazil Security Risk Overview

Security Risk Rating: Moderate

Security Risk Overview

Petty crime is rife in Brazil, especially in large cities. Murders, burglaries, and carjackings are not uncommon. Favelas, or shanty-towns, have increased levels of drug-related violence, theft, and muggings.

The tri-border area in western Paraná State is known for smuggling of illicit goods. Many international organized crime syndicates conduct illicit drug and prostitution operations in Brazil. These groups account for much of the violent crime in Brazil, especially in the cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.

The southern province of Santa Catarina is prone to heavy flooding. Landslides and flash floods are known to occur during Brazil’s rainy season. The Amazon basin has also reportedly become prone to large fires, as slash-and-burn methods have been used to clear forests to make way for agriculture, livestock, logging, and mining, despite these methods being illegal.

Terrorism

Brazil has a low threat of international terrorism within its borders. In the past the FARC have operated along the border with Colombia and have kidnapped a number of travelers in that area. Although the FARC’s criminal activities have subsided since the signing of a 2016 peace deal, splinter groups that reject the peace deal remain a concern. Additionally, populations in the “Triple Frontier,” the tri-border region that borders Argentina and Paraguay, are known to be sympathetic to Islamist extremist groups, such as Hezbollah, and are alleged to have provided funds to these groups. However, there have been no major terrorist incidents within the past five years.

Civil Unrest

Peaceful protests relating to both domestic and international politics are common in Brazil, especially in Brasília, where international embassies are located. However, peaceful protests can easily devolve into violence. Although Brazilian security forces generally respect individuals’ rights of assembly, forces in São Paulo are known to make preventive arrests of demonstrators despite no apparent signs of violence. In the event of unruly protests, security forces usually respond using pepper spray, tear gas, and rubber bullets.

Although not considered a domestic terrorist organization, the activist group known as the Landless Peasant Movement (MST) is the largest popular movement in Latin America, has its own military arm (Novo Sarandi), and frequently uses violent tactics. The MST—believed to be at least 500,000 strong—organizes landless Brazilian peasants to occupy farmlands until the government considers it “idle land” and therefore subject to redistribution among the ranks of the MST. Violence breaks out when landowners try to evict peasants. The MST has been seizing land throughout the country in this manner and settling landless families on it since the 1990’s.

Indigenous groups occasionally seize places of business and take employees hostage to force the government to negotiate with them. Indigenous groups have also held large-scale protests stemming from issues related to indigenous lands and land rights.

Strikes and demonstrations by members of the transport sector occur relatively frequently and often on short notice.

Following the results of the 2022 Presidential Elections, supporters of incumbent president Jair Bolsonaro have staged several disruptive protests across the country, resulting in injuries and clashes with police.

Personal Security

Brazil has rates of non-violent and violent crime. Armed robberies at homes, businesses, banks, hotels, and on the streets are common, especially in larger metropolises. International crime organizations from Colombia, Japan, Italy, Russia, the US, Nigeria, and other countries are known to operate in Brazil and cause violence in several of the larger cities. The homicide rate in Brazilian cities is very high, especially in Recife, Fortaleza, Salvador de Bahia, and Belo Horizonte, although rates are more moderate in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. In Brasília, the Rodoviaria (Central Bus Station) is a favorite haunt of drug dealers and their clients, particularly after dark.

Favelas have increased levels of drug-related violence, thefts, and muggings. The Brazilian government formed a special police force to maintain peace and order in the favelas, resulting in several unpredictable outbreaks of violence between the police and residents. If taking a tour of a favela in Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo, there is no guarantee of safety by either the tour operators or the police.

Muggings and pickpocketing occur frequently. In São Paulo, petty theft is common in Praca da Se and in the east and north of the city. Assaults have been reported at ATMs and robbers have been known to target specific banks, including Banco do Brasil. In the past, thieves have detonated explosive devices at ATM’s and banks. Thefts and assaults on public beaches are also regularly reported, particularly in Rio de Janeiro.

Kidnappings are a common occurrence in Brazil. Particularly common are “express kidnappings,” in which a person walking alone is grabbed from the street, taken to an ATM, and forced to withdraw all of the money from their account. Sometimes the kidnappers will also ask for a ransom, contacting the victim’s family and friends and requiring that they deliver a particular sum of money for the victim’s safe return. Victims are usually released unharmed. Avoid traveling after dark and stay out of remote areas.

Crimes of a sexual nature—including harassment and assault—are common, and law enforcement authorities are generally ineffective at investigating and prosecuting such crimes. Violent attacks, including sexual assaults, have been reported at Ibirapuera Park, a major urban park in São Paulo.

Although homosexuality is not illegal and there are no legal restrictions on the organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) events, homophobia is present in certain areas of the country. Reports of harassment and assault are not uncommon. In addition, overtly racist comments are illegal and can result in arrest without bail and up to eight months imprisonment.

Landslides and flash floods are known to occur during the rainy season in Brazil, which lasts from November to March in the south and from April to July in the north. Damage to infrastructure during such events is common. Wildfires also commonly occur during the dry season, particularly in the central region.

Law Enforcement

The Policia Militar is the main Brazilian police force and responds to most crimes. The Policia Civil is the investigatory force, and the Policia Federal has jurisdiction over federal crimes and immigration and border concerns. Some tourist destinations also have a Tourist Police (DELTUR) unit set up by the Brazilian government, with some English-speaking staff.

The Brazilian police are underfunded, undertrained, and known for their inefficiency and excessive use of force on suspected criminals. It has also been reported that law enforcement may expect, request, or demand illegitimate payments from foreigners for real or fabricated violations of local law or for providing routine services. Although police will respond to tourists, their inefficiency usually yields few results, and they may expect a cash reward in return for services. The police have been under scrutiny for abuse of power relating to their occupation of the favelas in Rio de Janeiro. Protection rackets, torture, and vigilantism have been on the increase among militias and police officials dispatched to clean up these areas of the city. Vigilante-style killings by police officers are common.

Prison and detention center conditions are poor. These facilities are affected by overcrowding and the mistreatment of prisoners. Torture and abuse have been reported during detainment, and arbitrary arrests are common. A backlog of cases in the judicial system causes delays in trial proceedings. Travelers should make every attempt to notify their embassy or consulate in the event of arrest, as authorities may fail to report arrests. Prison riots occur frequently and often result in multiple casualties.

Scams, Fraud, Corruption, and Extortion

“Good Samaritan” scams involving a local offering to help an obviously lost tourist are common in Brazil. These usually occur at bus stations, train stations, airports, hotel lobbies, and other transportation centers. Express kidnapping and ATM abductions are frequently reported in major cities. Cyber security and online fraud incidents are increasingly reported. Cybercrime is prevalent and has cost the country billions of dollars annually in recent years. Credit card fraud, ATM card cloning, and mobile phone cloning are also rife. In São Paulo, there have been numerous reports of young women drugging men’s drinks in order to rob them of their valuables while they are unconscious.

Common scams against foreigners, irrespective of destination, include dating and marriage scams, false employment opportunities, and virtual kidnapping for ransom. Avoid giving out personal information at all costs, especially bank or credit card numbers.

Corruption of government employees is widespread in Brazil and it has been reported that officials may expect, request, or demand illegitimate payments from travelers for real or imaginary violations of local law or for providing routine services.

Security Advice

Be prepared. Make an effort to understand your destination environment before you travel: identify the possible threats and prevailing situation, understand your own vulnerabilities and take action to mitigate the risks.

Maintain a low profile and good situational awareness. Ensure you travel with reliable communications equipment, test your mobile (cellular) telephone upon arrival at your destination and keep it fully charged. Make note of emergency telephone numbers, including the police, fire department, ambulance, and embassy or consulate.

Avoid all protests and demonstrations to minimize the risk of exposure to incidental violence. Travelers should walk away or wait inside a shop or restaurant if it is not possible to leave the area. Plan alternate routes to circumvent potential protest locations. Seek the assistance of a local host, or travel with a local driver, where possible.

To minimize the risk of becoming a victim of petty theft, travelers should maintain caution and exercise situational awareness at all times. Avoid overt displays of wealth. If confronted by a criminal, do nothing to antagonize the situation. Carry a “dummy” wallet if possible, and carry a passport photocopy at all times.

Carry handbags on the opposite side from passing traffic to reduce the risk of thieves on motorcycles trying to snatch them.

Avoid walking unless you are confident of the security situation. Do not walk by yourself at night in secluded or troublesome areas of the city. Do not take shortcuts away from main roads.

National holidays and public festivals tend to attract large crowds in some countries. Such public gatherings, despite a typically enhanced security presence, create a potential venue for disorder or violence. In addition, large crowds may well impede local transportation systems.

Do not buy counterfeit or any goods in violation of copyright laws. Doing so may be a violation of local laws and can carry hefty fines or even prison time.

Reduce risk of injury from car crashes by always wearing a seatbelt. Some countries have heavy fines for not wearing a seatbelt. Avoid drinking and driving. Be sure to travel with all appropriate documentation, including passport and visa photocopies. Individuals who intend on driving should be in possession of their International Driving Permit (IDP), vehicle registration, and proof of insurance at all times.

Travelers are subject to the laws of Brazil, even if they are not a citizen of Brazil. Travelers can also be prosecuted for violating their home country’s laws while in a foreign country. Travelers should be aware of the laws and customs of the country they are traveling to in order to avoid prosecution.