Notorious paramilitary leader Zinho surrenders

Luis Antonio da Silva Braga, widely known as “Zinho,” the elusive leader of Rio de Janeiro’s largest paramilitary group, turned himself in to the Federal Police on Sunday, culminating a manhunt that spanned over three years.

Facing a litany of charges and deemed the state’s “public enemy Number 1,” Zinho’s surrender marks a major triumph in the ongoing battle against criminal organizations, according to a statement released by the authorities.

Zinho had been evading capture since 2018, with at least a dozen warrants hanging over him, ranging from serious crimes to his involvement in the illicit activities that have plagued Rio’s communities.

Justice Minister Flavio Dino lauded the arrest on Monday, emphasizing its significance in the broader effort to combat organized crime in the region.

The paramilitary groups, originally formed as community self-defense units against drug gangs, have transformed over the years. Once perceived as protectors, they evolved into entities engaged in extortion, controlling services in Rio’s impoverished favelas. Recent years witnessed an expansion into drug trafficking and money laundering, solidifying their grip on more than half of Rio’s territory, instilling fear in over two million residents, as indicated by a 2020 study conducted by a consortium of universities and government anti-crime entities.

The arrest follows a series of violent incidents linked to Zinho’s militia, including the torching of buses and a train drivers’ cabin in retaliation for the killing of a nephew and lieutenant.

In another chilling incident, three doctors attending a conference in Rio were allegedly murdered by the militia, highlighting the group’s brazen acts and the increasing menace they pose to the city.

As Zinho awaits legal proceedings, authorities hope this arrest will deliver a significant blow to the paramilitary network, signaling a turning point in the effort to restore security and stability to Rio’s beleaguered communities.