Brazil: Police strike in Brasília February 21-24

Event

Thousands of police officers launched a 72-hour strike in Brasília at 08:00 (local time) on Wednesday, February 21, to demand higher wages. The strike is expected to continue until 08:00 on Saturday, February 24. According to local sources, police officers will only provide a minimum level of services and only respond to serious crimes. The strike could lead to an increase in petty and violent crime rates.

Context

Similar strikes occurred in Espírito Santo and Rio Grande do Norte states in 2017 resulted in significant increases in rates of violence and led to the deployment of the Brazilian military to take over policing duties, albeit with relatively little positive effect on security conditions.

Advice

Individuals present in Brasília are advised to remain vigilant, conceal all signs of wealth to avoid attracting the attention of would-be thieves. Keep in mind that criminals are often armed; never offer resistance if assaulted.