Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has played a big political gamble before the upcoming elections. Lula’s government on Tuesday launched a mega project worth 11 billion reais, or about $2 billion, to combat organized crime. This is being considered an attempt to strengthen Lula’s image on the public security front.
Emphasis on modern weapons along with security budget
Under this program, huge investment will be made in public safety. The government said that out of this, 1 billion reais i.e. 190 million dollars will be spent by December this year. The main objective of this scheme is to stop arms smuggling and break the economic back of criminal organizations. Along with this, there will also be investment in murder investigation and reform of the prison system.
Police will be equipped with hi-tech equipment
Police will be provided with state-of-the-art technology to curb criminals. The government will purchase equipment like drones, body scanners, metal detectors and cellphone signal blockers. Apart from this, X-ray machines, DNA tracking equipment and modern radar systems will also be purchased. The direct target of this campaign is Brazil’s two most dreaded gangs, First Command of the Capital-PCC and Red Command-CV.
Discuss security with Donald Trump
Lula, who is preparing for his fourth term, said that during his visit to Washington last week, he talked to US President Donald Trump on security issues. According to Lula, he told Trump that many weapons used in Brazil come from America. If America wants to support this fight, it will have to work according to the rules of the Brazilian government and the police there.
opposition’s counterattack
Opposition parties have raised questions on this plan of Lula. Opposition governors have shown hesitation on the use of this fund. Leaders such as senators Flavio Bolsonaro and Ronaldo Caiado have described Lula’s party as soft on crime. However, Vice President Geraldo Alcmin hit back, saying that former President Jair Bolsonaro’s policy was only to distribute weapons, which ultimately ended up in the hands of criminals.
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