An organized crime action in the Paraisópolis favela, in the southern part of the city of São Paulo, puts at risk the Antonico stream canalization project, budgeted at more than R$100 million, and once again challenges the government to act in one of the main strongholds of the First Capital Command (PCC) in the capital of São Paulo. In early August, criminals from the faction expelled the company’s workers who were working inside the favela and ordered the occupation of the areas around the stream, which had been cleared due to the removal of houses that have been taking place since 2022.
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New Homes
Photographic records taken by a drone, compared with satellite images from months ago, show the construction of new homes on both banks of the stream, a stretch of about 500 meters that was already open due to the work of the contracted company. Some of the new houses are practically ready, with roofs already installed, and others are wooden shacks being built.
Brought by the PCC
According to the residents, the new families occupying the spaces are not from the favela itself. They are people brought from other places by members of the PCC and may be being used by criminals in an alleged attempt to extort the government with compensation claims. The residents also say that the criminals have placed armed security guards around the invaded area to prevent employees or city representatives from returning.
Tense Climate in the Favela
The scenario is considered tense throughout the favela, partly due to an alleged split between internal factions of the PCC itself. This is making dialogue between the criminals and the traditional leaders of the community impossible, whose representation has been threatened in an unprecedented way.
Attack on Derrite
A 47-year-old man suspected of involvement in a bank robbery was arrested and was part of a group suspected of planning an attack on the Secretary of Public Security of São Paulo, Guilherme Derrite. A member of the criminal faction PCC, he was responsible for storing weapons and drugs and was allegedly responsible for the secretary’s death.
Analysis:
The recent action by organized crime in the Paraisópolis favela, São Paulo, reflects a growing and worrying trend of criminals directly challenging public infrastructure projects, such as the canalization of the Antonico stream. Budgeted at over R$100 million, the project is now under threat from the occupation of criminals associated with the First Capital Command (PCC), who have expelled workers and allowed the installation of new illegal housing along the stream. The direct involvement of the PCC in the occupation of the stream banks and the presence of armed security guards demonstrate the territorial control exercised by the faction, holding the State hostage within areas that should already be under its jurisdiction. The worsening situation is exacerbated by reports of a possible split within the criminal organization itself, further weakening traditional community leaders and hindering any attempt at dialogue or peace.
At the same time, the exposure of a plan to assassinate the Secretary of Public Security, Guilherme Derrite, exposes the level of confrontation between the State and organized crime. Derrite, a key figure in the fight against the faction, is one of the leaders of the Tarcísio de Freitas administration who has intensified operations against the PCC.
The PCC’s resistance to the government’s advance into peripheral areas of São Paulo, combined with attempts to directly attack prominent public figures, demonstrates the organization’s growing capacity to act both locally and strategically.
Sources: A Folha de SP [1], [2]; Cidade de SP.
