Overview
- Fernando Haddad accused Governor Cláudio Castro of doing “practically nothing” to curb fuel contraband and tax-fraud networks he says bankroll organized crime.
- Haddad cited Receita Federal’s September 26 seizure of four fuel ships and described an ongoing legal fight over releasing the cargo he argues would fund illicit activity.
- The Superior Tribunal de Justiça reinstated the interdiction of the Refit (Manguinhos) refinery after a Rio court briefly allowed operations to resume, and Haddad said he will dispatch a National Treasury prosecutor to engage the state government.
- The minister urged swift approval of the Public Security PEC to mandate coordinated action by governors, the presidency, Receita Federal, the Federal Police, and prosecutors against criminal financing.
- The political dispute sharpened after a deadly police operation against the Comando Vermelho, as Castro complained of lacking federal partnership while Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski said no formal request for assistance was received.