Haddad slams Claudio Castro, saying he “has done nothing” against crime.
Finance Minister criticizes Rio governor's inaction and demands collaboration in combating fuel smuggling after massacre.
247 - Finance Minister Fernando Haddad harshly criticized the governor of Rio de Janeiro, Cláudio Castro, stating that the governor “has done practically nothing” to combat smuggling and fraud involving fuels in the state. The statements, made this Wednesday (29), occur amidst the crisis caused by the deadliest police operation in Rio's history, which left 136 dead, according to the Human Rights Commission of the OAB-RJ.
“We, personally here at the Ministry of Finance, are acting strongly in Rio de Janeiro against organized crime. In my opinion, the most effective way is regarding the fuel issue that you are following,” stated Haddad. “I think the governor should help us in this regard. Today, the State of Rio has done practically nothing in relation to fuel smuggling,” added the minister.
Haddad demands effective action from the Rio government.
The Finance Minister highlighted that the federal government has been acting decisively to financially weaken organized crime, especially through combating tax fraud and fuel smuggling, identified as sources of funding for criminal factions. According to Haddad, it is essential that the state cooperate with the Federal Revenue Service and intelligence agencies to attack the problem at its source.
"The money that sustains organized crime in Rio comes from fraud and the sale of adulterated fuel. The state needs to wake up to this reality and act," he stated.
Haddad also defended the Proposed Amendment to the Constitution (PEC) on Public Security, presented by the federal government, which seeks to integrate the Union, states, and municipalities in the formulation of security policies. According to the minister, the collapse of security in Rio demonstrates the need for national coordination and joint planning.
Massacre exposes security crisis in Rio.
Haddad's statement comes the day after a massive police operation in the Alemão and Penha complexes in Rio's northern zone, which resulted in 136 deaths, including four police officers and dozens of residents, as well as 81 arrests and the seizure of 93 rifles. The operation, dubbed Operation Containment, targeted the expansion of the Comando Vermelho (Red Command) and the capture of the faction's leaders.
The incident generated international repercussions after the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said it was "horrified" by the lethality of the operation, demanding an immediate and independent investigation. In Brazil, the massacre reignited the debate about the public security model adopted by the government of Cláudio Castro, criticized for prioritizing armed confrontations and high-impact actions, to the detriment of preventive and intelligence policies.
Tension between the federal government and Rio
Haddad's criticisms amplify the tension between the federal government and the government of Rio de Janeiro, which have been on a collision course since Castro attributed negligence in public security to the Union. The Planalto Palace, however, stated that it was not previously informed about the operation and reaffirmed that it has been providing constant support to the state, including through the National Public Security Force, present in Rio de Janeiro since 2023.
