Organized Crime Influences Brazil’s Presidential Election in Rio’s Favelas

In Brazil, the first round of the presidential election, notably between incumbent President Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro, son of the former far-right president, is marked by a strong influence of organized crime.

According to RFI, this influence is particularly evident in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, where mafia or criminal groups linked to certain candidates exert pressure on voters and engage in vote-buying.

This situation raises questions about the transparency and legitimacy of the election in these sensitive areas, where the power of organized crime appears to weigh heavily on voters’ choices.