State within a State: Gang-Enforced Lockdowns in Rio’s Favelas amid the COVID-19 Pandemic and its Sociopolitical Implications in Brazil

Abstract

Brazil’s new president Jair Bolsonaro is one of the few global leaders who still continues to downplay the risks caused by this evolving Coronavirus Pandemic and has repeatedly called for reopening the country’s economy. In response to the President’s passive attitude toward this pandemic, as of March and April 2020, drug gangs have started imposing social distancing and strict curfews in Rio’s favelas amid growing fears among the most underprivileged Brazilians. This study discusses the sociopolitical implications of favela lockdown enforced by the drug gangs and argues that an apparent “deep state” within a state is being structured by them. © Common Ground Research Networks, Hoyoon Jung, All Rights Reserved.