Brazil: President Lula Approves New Law to Strengthen Fight Against Organized Crime

New Legislation Targets Criminal Organizations

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva officially signed into law a new measure on Thursday, October 30, 2025, aimed at intensifying the country's efforts against organized crime. Published in the Official Gazette of the Union, Law No. 15,245 introduces significant amendments to the Penal Code and the Law on Criminal Organizations, expanding the scope of punishable offenses and reinforcing safeguards for public security personnel.

The approval of this legislation follows a recent large-scale operation against the Red Command (Comando Vermelho) in Rio de Janeiro, which resulted in over 120 deaths and highlighted the persistent challenges posed by criminal factions in Brazil. President Lula da Silva emphasized the necessity of such measures, stating, 'We cannot accept that organized crime continues to destroy families, oppress residents and spread drugs and violence throughout the cities.'

Key Provisions and Enhanced Penalties

The new law introduces several critical changes designed to disrupt the operations of criminal groups:

• New Criminal Offenses: The legislation now explicitly defines and criminalizes acts such as the obstruction of actions against organized crime and conspiracy to obstruct such actions. These offenses carry severe penalties, including reclusion sentences ranging from 4 to 12 years.
• Hiring Criminals: Hiring a member of a criminal organization to commit a crime is now an independent offense, punishable by a prison sentence of 1 to 3 years, in addition to the penalty for the crime committed.
• Mandatory Maximum-Security Detention: Individuals accused of obstructing or conspiring to obstruct anti-organized crime actions will face provisional detention in a federal maximum-security prison, even before trial.
• Penalties for Threats and Retaliation: The law also stipulates prison sentences of 4 to 12 years for those who threaten or retaliate against public officials and collaborators involved in investigations.

Increased Protection for Public Officials

A significant component of Law No. 15,245 is the expansion of personal protection measures for public officials and their families. This includes judicial authorities, members of the Public Prosecutor's Office, police officers, and other public security professionals, whether active or retired. The protection is specifically guaranteed to professionals facing risks directly stemming from the exercise of their duties, with particular attention to those operating in vulnerable border regions. The government indicated that one of the intentions behind this measure is to reduce police mortality indicators.

Context and Government Response

The enactment of this law underscores the Brazilian government's commitment to a more coordinated and robust approach to combating organized crime. President Lula da Silva highlighted the need for 'coordinated work that reaches the backbone of trafficking without putting police, children and innocent families at risk.' The new legislation is expected to provide law enforcement agencies with enhanced legal instruments to confront powerful criminal factions like the Red Command and the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), which are responsible for a significant portion of urban violence in Brazil.