Brazilian lawmakers approve Lula’s security reform

The Brazilian Senate on Tuesday approved a reform measure aimed at cracking down on organised crime, a step proposed by president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva days after his reelection.

Insecurity featured as a major concern among voters in the hard-fought presidential election between Lula and his right-wing rival Flavio Bolsonaro.

The leftist leader defeated the son of jailed former president Jair Bolsonaro in a runoff on Oct 25.

Tuesday’s broad approval of his security reform notches another win for Lula, who can now fulfil a campaign promise to create a public security ministry.

The text strengthens the role of the federal government in dealing with insecurity, typically a state responsibility, as well as funnelling more resources to anti-crime efforts.

It also toughens sentences for leaders and members of criminal factions that control large areas of Brazilian cities, including favelas in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.

In May, the US designated Brazil’s two largest criminal groups, the Red Command (CV) and First Capital Command (PCC), as terrorist organisations.

The decision drew the ire of Lula, who viewed it as a threat to Brazilian sovereignty.

Flavio Bolsonaro, whose father is an enthusiastic ally of US President Donald Trump, said he had requested the designation.

The right-wing senator fled to the US following his election loss when his passports were cancelled in connection with a money-laundering investigation.

He tapped into rising insecurity on the campaign trail and had promised to lower the age of criminal responsibility to 16 and to 14 for serious cases.

Lawmakers excluded an article that would have lowered the age of responsibility, currently at 18, opting to discuss the issue separately.