Murder of Rio Politician Deals Blow to New Security Policy
Politician's Murder Deals Blow to Temer's Security Policy in Rio
(Bloomberg) -- Brazilians are reacting with outrage to the murder of a prominent councilwoman and human rights activist in Rio de Janeiro, in a blow to President Michel Temer’s decision to deploy the military to tackle criminality in the postcard city.
Marielle Franco, a 38 year-old black politician from one of Rio’s poorest and most violent communities, was returning home from an event in the city center late Wednesday when a car pulled alongside hers and opened fire, local media reported. Franco’s driver was also killed, but an aide traveling with her survived.
"This is certainly an attack on the rule of law and an attack on democracy," Temer said in a video published on social media. He delayed a previously-scheduled event at the presidential palace to hold a cabinet meeting on Rio’s security, and said the federal police was willing to help with the investigations.
Her violent death underscores challenges in reducing bloodshed in Brazilian cities, many of which rank among the most violent in the world. Violence is particularly intense in Rio de Janeiro, where criminals frequently clash with police forces, causing the shutdown of major motorways and disrupting the local economy. Temer last month ordered the military to take over Rio’s security, and public order has become a central theme ahead of this October’s presidential election.
Thousands gathered to watch Franco’s coffin enter the state assembly building in downtown Rio on Thursday afternoon, with local media providing blanket coverage of the cortege. As night fell, huge crowds marched in central Rio and Sao Paulo in protest at her murder.
Public figures from across Brazil’s political spectrum expressed outrage over her murder. Finance Minister Henrique Meirelles, who is contemplating a bid for the presidency, said the assassination underscores the need of the Rio military operation. "Those who did this need to be punished," Meirelles said during a radio interview.
Franco was a vocal critic of police violence against civilians, as well as a member of a city council committee overseeing the military intervention in Rio. Members of her family and her party were unaware of any threats against her life, according to local media.
Rio de Janeiro state public defenders said Franco’s death looked like an execution and could be linked to her work on behalf of poor communities.
To contact the reporter on this story: Walter Brandimarte in Rio de Janeiro at wbrandimarte@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Vivianne Rodrigues at vrodrigues3@bloomberg.net, Matthew Malinowski, Bruce Douglas
©2018 Bloomberg L.P.