Innocuous gestures and everyday features have tragically cost the lives of at least three teenagers in Ceará. Victims of mistaken identity were killed after being falsely associated with criminal factions due to the misappropriation of common symbols by these groups. This alarming pattern underscores a dangerous blend of ignorance, fear, and the pervasive influence of organized crime in Brazil.
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Most Recent Case
On 18 December 2024, Henrique Marques de Jesus, a 16-year-old, was found dead in Vila de Jericoacoara, where he had been vacationing with his father, Danilo Martins. Members of a criminal faction mistakenly identified him as a member of a rival group after examining photos on his cell phone. Henrique had taken pictures in which he highlighted three fingers—his thumb, index, and middle fingers. In the criminal underworld of Ceará, the number “three” is associated with a faction aligned with the First Capital Command (PCC), while “two” is linked to the Red Command. Henrique’s father insisted that his son did not know the symbol’s criminal connotation. His innocent act of posing for a photograph ultimately led to his untimely death.
The Misappropriation of Everyday Symbols
According to Professor Luiz Fábio Paiva, a researcher at the Laboratory for the Study of Violence (LEV) at the Federal University of Ceará, the appropriation of common symbols by criminal factions has become a method of territorial and group affirmation. Simple gestures like the “V for Victory” or eyebrow markings, used innocently by many, have adopted new meanings in these criminal contexts. This misappropriation has created a perilous environment in which individuals can unknowingly become targets.
Altar Boys Targeted in Fortaleza
In 2019 and 2020, two altar boys were similarly targeted and murdered in Fortaleza, Ceará. Like Henrique, one was killed after his cell phone was examined, revealing photos that were misconstrued as factional symbols. The other victim was targeted because of a simple line shaved into his eyebrow, a styling choice that was misinterpreted as a gang-related mark. These tragic cases illustrate how even the most mundane personal choices can become fatal in the charged atmosphere of organized crime-dominated regions.
Sisters Murdered in Mato Grosso
This phenomenon is not confined to Ceará. In September 2024, two sisters, Rayane Alves Porto, 25, and Rithiele Alves Porto, 28, were tortured and murdered in Porto Esperidião (MT), a city near the Bolivian border. The murders were ordered by a leader of the Red Command (CV) after photos on social media showed the sisters making hand gestures resembling the “three-finger” symbol. Investigators concluded that the gestures, made innocently during a family gathering, were misinterpreted as a sign of allegiance to a rival faction.
Analysis:
The appropriation of common symbols by criminal factions has had a devastating impact on the civilian population, particularly young people and individuals from vulnerable communities. These incidents are not merely isolated tragedies but indicative of a broader crisis in Brazilian public security that requires urgent attention and action.
The transformation of everyday gestures and features into symbols of criminal affiliation by factions such as First Capital Command (PCC) and Red Command underscores these organizations’ relentless pursuit of symbolic and territorial dominance. Innocent gestures, like the “V for victory” or simple eyebrow markings, have been co-opted to signify group allegiance. This appropriation fosters an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, not only complicating the ability of authorities to accurately identify genuine members but also putting ordinary citizens at risk of becoming unintended targets, thereby exacerbating insecurity in already vulnerable communities.
From a public policy standpoint, addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach, starting with community education. Public awareness campaigns are essential to inform the population about the dangers of using symbols and gestures that have been appropriated by organized crime. Such initiatives could significantly reduce the risk faced by individuals who inadvertently use these marks, fostering a more informed and vigilant society.
Sources: G1 [1], [2]; Metrópoles; UOL.
