Judge accuses Brazil of being ruled by groups with ties to organised crime
A Brazilian judge has ruled that the country was being run by criminal organizations with deep ties to drug traffickers and money launderers.
Judge Sergio Moro said in a statement that the current political landscape had been “polluted” by these groups. He went on to accuse the government of complacency in the face of these organizations.
“These are organizations with deep ties to drug traffickers and money launderers, as well as other activities of criminal nature,” Moro said.
The statement comes following a 10-month long investigation by Brazilian law enforcement to uncover the links between organized crime and elected officials.
Moro highlighted the fact that the organizations had penetrated all levels of government, from local communities to the national level.
The judge’s statement has put fresh pressure on the government to address the issue, with President Jair Bolsonaro vowing to take steps to tackle the problem.
It remains to be seen how far the government is willing to take its efforts in fighting organized crime. Meanwhile, Moro’s statement serves as a stark reminder of the power of these groups, and how much work needs to be done in order to tackle the issue.