Brazil: Lula introduces multi-billion dollar anti-crime plan

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva unveiled a major anti-crime program last night. The “National Program for Public Security” will cost over $3 billion in the next five years and will be invested in measures like building more jails, better equipment for police, and education.

As BBC News pointed out, the leader of one community group was cautiously optimistic with Lula’s initiative:

“Viva Rio, an organization which works to combat violence in Rio de Janeiro, has given a cautious welcome to the government's proposals.

"This is the right path, for sure," said Viva Rio's director Rubem Cesar Fernandes.

But he added a note of caution: "The question is whether they can actually implement it."

Brazil has one of the world’s highest murder rates with high levels of crime in major cities like Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Crime was one of the country’s most pressing issues during the last presidential election, and earlier this year human rights group Amnesty International called for the government to step up.

Sources- Bloomberg, Monsters & Critics, BBC News, Overseas Security Advisory Council, The Latin Americanist

Image- Guardian UK