With our correspondent in Rio de Janeiro, Sarah Cozzolino
Fires in transport and public buildings, shops, vehicles. It has now been four days since residents of Rio Grande do Norte have woken up to the smell of smoke and images of the chaotic situation in their state.
Natal, Mossoró and Parnamirim: the three largest cities had to suspend certain basic services and close schools and hospitals. According to local authorities, the attacks were sponsored by members of the “Crime Syndicate”, a regional criminal faction, in protest of the conditions of detention in local prisons.
Dispatch of more than 200 police
The Minister of Justice, Flavio Dino, has already announced the dispatch of more than 200 police officers from the national force and reinforcements could arrive in the coming days. “ If it is necessary to send 400, 500, 600, 800 police to support the State of Rio Grande do Norte, we will do it. For we will not allow territories to be abandoned to criminal factions. We stand in solidarity with the people of Rio Grande do Norte and their government “, did he declare.
The minister also considered sending in the army if the situation did not stabilize this weekend. So far, nearly 70 suspects have been arrested along with a large number of weapons and explosives.
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