As cidades mais violentas da Amazônia

Abstract

The incidence of homicidal violence in Brazilian Amazon cities has been progressively increasing over the course of several decades. In 2022, the disparity in homicide rates between cities in the Amazon region and the rest of the country reached a record-breaking 44%, and this gap is still increasing. The escalation of violence hampers the ability of individuals, communities, and societies to exercise their constitutional rights, diminishes the ability of civil society to mobilize, and renders the achievement of democratic socio-environmental justice unattainable. This study entails a descriptive statistical analysis of homicide data spanning from 1980 to 2022. The primary objective is to discern the geographical locations characterized by the highest levels of violence within the region. Based on data regarding deforestation and soybean production, I have conducted an exploratory analysis that indicates a correlation between the expansion of soybean and beef production areas and the rise in homicides in significant cities in four states: Rondônia, Pará, Roraima, and northern Mato Grosso. In contrast to the widely discussed narrative of the Amazon's abandonment, I provide evidence that programmatic colonial interventions and national tax policies focused on commercial sovereignty are exerting pressure on the remaining large, protected areas. This is resulting in a critical situation for both the local populations and the environment, reaching a point from which recovery may be impossible.