Brazil’s caveirão: “What are you most afraid of?”

The caveirão (“big skull”) is a military-style assault vehicle used to police Rio de Janeiro’s favelas. It targets socially excluded communities, increasing violence and criminalizing poverty. Between May and September 2005, 11 people were killed in caveirão-led operations. The caveirão is part of a pattern of confrontational and intimidating policing. It targets socially excluded communities, increasing violence and criminalizing poverty in Rio.

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