Residents of the Morro dos Macacos region, in Vila Isabel, in the North Zone of Rio, experienced another night and early morning of terror. The war between rival factions, which has caused intense confrontations in the region for at least once again frightened residents around the favela. On Sunday night (05/01) and the early hours of Monday (06/01), during an exchange of gunfire, a woman was struck by a stray bullet inside her home. Once again, criminals from Morro do São João, in Engenho Novo, attempted to invade Morro dos Macacos.
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15th Birthday Party Interrupted by Gunfire
On 30 December, the penultimate day of 2024, a 15th birthday party was interrupted by gunfire in Morro dos Macacos. One of the catering employees reported that a bullet struck the roof of the party venue on Rua Silva Pinto, one of the entrances to Macacos. Fortunately, no one was injured. Earlier in December, three men were shot in an attack near one of the entrances to Morro dos Macacos; one of them died before reaching the hospital. In August, five people were killed following a shooting attack in Praça Barão de Drumond, known as Praça Sete, near Morro dos Macacos.
One Shooting per Week
In 2024, Morro dos Macacos experienced an average of over one shooting per week due to ongoing confrontations between the Third Pure Command (TCP) and Red Command (CV), which has sought to take control of the favela for over a decade. At least 12 people were killed and another 10 injured in violence in Morro dos Macacos throughout 2024. Data from the Fogo Cruzado Institute revealed 80 recorded shootings in the region over the year, with December being particularly violent, registering 22 incidents. These conflicts are a direct result of territorial disputes between the CV and TCP, the faction that currently dominates the community.
CV Expansion
The clashes in Morro dos Macacos have been ongoing for over a decade and are becoming increasingly frequent due to the Red Command’s expansionist strategy in Rio. Despite its relatively small size, the community attracts drug traffickers because of its strategic location near the Tijuca Forest, offering access to the West Zone to fight for territories controlled by militias. CV’s members invading the community often take refuge in Morro São João, in Engenho Novo. On 28 December, the Special Operations Battalion (BOPE) of the Military Police arrested seven CV members during an operation in Macacos. The operation aimed to “suppress the dispute over territories” in the area.
Prohibition of Robberies
The recent territorial disputes over Morro dos Macacos in Vila Isabel are also linked to a “split” within the TCP, the current faction controlling the community. According to Civil Police sources, this division occurred in early 2024, when Leandro Nunes Botelho, known as Scooby-Doo, the faction leader, prohibited robberies in the region to avoid attracting police operations. This decision angered drug traffickers, prompting many to defect to the CV at neighboring Morro São João. Strengthened by the deserters, the CV began a series of invasions into Morro dos Macacos. Consequently, Scooby reversed his prohibition on robberies to fund weapons and ammunition, intensifying crime in the region.
Robbery Statistics
The impact of these territorial disputes is evident in crime data from the Public Security Institute. Between January and November 2023, during the period when robberies were discouraged, 1,050 robbery cases were reported at the 20th Police Precinct (Vila Isabel). In the same period of 2024, with the CV invasions, this number rose to 1,188. Vehicle thefts saw the most significant increase, with 220 cases in 2023 compared to 348 in 2024, an alarming 58% rise.
Analysis:
The Morro dos Macacos region in Vila Isabel, North Zone of Rio, faces a severe security crisis driven by territorial disputes between criminal factions. The ongoing conflict between the Red Command (CV) and the Third Pure Command (TCP) has escalated into frequent armed confrontations, directly impacting the lives of residents. In 2024, the region experienced over one shooting per week on average, highlighting the state’s inability to pacify strategically important and vulnerable areas like this. This situation reflects broader deficiencies in public administration when it comes to controlling areas dominated by armed groups.
The case of Morro dos Macacos exemplifies the significant impact of factional disputes on public security, particularly in the context of CV’s expansion strategy. The faction is actively seeking to consolidate territorial control in communities with geographically advantageous locations. The proximity of Morro dos Macacos to the Tijuca Forest and the West Zone makes it a highly desirable position for criminal groups. This illustrates that the motivations behind these conflicts extend beyond drug trafficking, encompassing strategic interests in controlling key routes and adjacent territories.
Addressing this complex scenario requires an integrated approach that combines police intelligence, strategic occupation, and preventative policies to reduce the influence of these criminal organizations. Enhanced law enforcement operations, coupled with community-focused programs, are essential to reclaim these areas from armed groups and restore a sense of security to the local population.
