Homicídios e disputas territoriais nas favelas do Rio de Janeiro

Homicide risk in Rio de Janeiro's favelas is paradoxically lower within the communities themselves compared to surrounding areas, particularly where territorial disputes between armed gangs are intense. This counterintuitive finding emerges from a study analyzing mortality data from 2006 to 2009, combining geographic and ethnographic methods, including participant observation and interviews. Researchers found that while favelas themselves have homicide rates comparable to or lower than the rest of the city, areas adjacent to these communities—especially those caught in turf wars—experience significantly higher violence. The study highlights how drug trafficking and gang conflicts create an 'ecology of danger' in strategic urban zones, underscoring the complex interplay between territorial control and public safety in Rio's Carioca Landscapes.

Barcellos, C., & Zaluar, A. (2014). Homicídios e disputas territoriais nas favelas do Rio de Janeiro. Revista de Saúde Pública, 48(1), 94–102. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0034-8910.2014048004822