The intervention is the first test of new President Jair Bolsonaro’s strict law-and-order platform since he took office last Tuesday. Dozens of attacks have been registered this week, forcing residents to stay at home and leaving main roads deserted. Brazil has the third biggest prison population in the world, behind the United States and China, with nearly 730,000 inmates as of 2016. The 300 troops sent to reinforce state security forces will have a big task. Nearly 80 attacks have been reported in towns across Ceara state this week.

Source: Punch January 05, 2019 18:00 UTC