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Brazil’s president creates public security ministry

Brazil's president creates public security ministry | iNFOnews.ca
Brazil's President Michel Temer, right, talks to the press next to the Governor of Rio de Janeiro Luiz Fernando Pezao after a meeting with local authorities about the implementation of a decree that has placed the military in charge of Rio's state security at the Guanabara Palace in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018. Temer said he plans to create a public security ministry to coordinate security operations in the entire country. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

SAO PAULO – Brazilian President Michel Temer is creating a public security ministry as part of efforts to combat high crime rates, especially in Rio de Janeiro.

The creation of the new ministry follows Temer’s decision to hand control of Rio’s security forces to the military as drug traffickers battle for control. There are concerns that traffickers could head to other states if a crackdown in Rio is successful, but Temer says the new ministry will work with Brazil’s states to co-ordinate security policy across the country.

The presidential palace says that Temer will sign a decree Monday to create the ministry. Defence Minister Raul Jungmann will head it, and a general will be interim minister of defence.

Presidential decrees take immediate effect, but Congress must approve them in the months that follow.

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Abbey Westbury

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