São Paulo Suffers New Round of Gang Violence

Safety & Security

Americas - Brazil
7 Aug 2006

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The early morning hours of Monday, August 7, saw a new wave of attacks in São Paulo State targeting primarily police, buses, banks and gas stations. According to local press reports released in the afternoon, the attacks, which took place between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., numbered about 50. Press reports place the number of injuries at 4.

Two were injured by flying glass when an explosion blew out an ATM at a supermarket in Interlagos in the zona sul area. Two others were injured in an attack on a bank in the zona leste area.

The most forceful attack on Monday took place at the State Public Ministry building in the downtown area on Rua Riachuelo. The building was struck by an improvised explosive device that caused extensive damage to the facade of the building, shattering windows up to the building's third floor, as well as those of surrounding buildings. The Provincial Secretariat of the Treasury building was also struck by a grenade and a firebomb, according to local press. 

23 buses were burned, 11 of which were in the municipalities Maua and Santo Andre, in the area of São Paulo State known as ABC paulista. As a result, two bus companies serving primarily the east zone suspended service on Monday.

Five gas stations were also targeted by the attackers - two in Higienopolis and one on the zona oeste area. Press reports state that in one attack, an abandoned vehicle located at the gas station was set aflame. In at least one case, local authorities were able to bring a fire at a gas station under control.

In other attacks, police stations were sprayed by gunfire, two police patrol cars were set afire, and 14 banks were struck by Molotov cocktails. One supermarket was also set afire, although the situation was quickly brought under control. A metro train was also fired upon by attackers in the Tucuruvi station in the zona norte area.

The renewed attacks come after two previous waves that took place in May and July of this year. The most intense round of violence in July saw about 300 attacks against police, buses and banks, with more than 100 people killed in running street battles between police and gang members. Attacks started again in May, when six more, mostly police and prison guards, were killed. The previous attacks were believed to have been carried out by the Primeiro Comando Capital, a criminal organization lead by gang bosses imprisoned in São Paulo pentitentiaries. Past rounds of violence show that the gang tends to focus their attacks on police, municipal buildings, buses and banks, usually only attacking in the early morning hours.