Security Brief for prepared on: Jul 12, 2021 5:47:47 PM UTC

Security Assessment Rating

Security Rating for Brazil: 3 - Moderate

Sub-Ratings 1 2 3 4 5 4 Overall Rating: Security Services 4 3 Civil Unrest 3 Terrorism 2 Moderate Kidnapping 4 Geopolitical 3

Security Overview : Overview of Brazil There are no major conflict threats for Brazil either internally or externally. Crime in Brazil ranges from principally opportunistic in cities like Florianopolis to a mix of opportunistic and violent in to more heavily violent in cities such as Salvador. In general, most is concentrated in the northeast. There exist minor concerns over the presence of radical Islamist sympathizers in the tri-border area (TBA). Arrests of such sympathizers have also been made elsewhere in the country. Brazil has developed a strong protest culture in recent years, particularly over political and economic issues.

No Current Security Alerts

Other Alerts & Advisories Warning Alerts

Entry/Exit: Several Brazilian states maintain domestic COVID-19 restrictions as of July 1. Incident: COVID-19 restrictions Location(s): Nationwide (map) Time Frame: Indefinite Impact: Transport, travel, and business disruptions

Summary Authorities continue to maintain domestic COVID-19-related restrictions in most states in Brazil as of July 1. Measures in force across the country include the following:

Bahia: Most municipalities will remain under a 22:00-05:00 nightly curfew through at least July 8. The sale of alcoholic beverages will be banned in most parts of the state from 18:00 July 1 through 05:00 July 5. Events that may lead to public gatherings remain banned. Restrictions vary by municipality. Federal District (Brasilia): Authorities have shortened the nightly curfew to 01:00-05:00; most nonessential businesses can remain open until 00:01 with capacity limits and restrictions in place. Ceara: The statewide nightly 23:00-05:00 curfew remains in place; however, most schools have been allowed to reopen. Most businesses may operate at a limited capacity; restrictions vary by municipality. Parana: The statewide nightly curfew has been shortened and will be in effect 22:00-05:00 daily. 's curfew has also been shortened to 23:00-05:00. In most parts of the state, businesses may operate with limited capacity, and the requirement for businesses to close on Sundays has been lifted for restaurants and bars. Large events and public gatherings remain banned. Rio de Janeiro: Within the city of Rio de Janeiro, most businesses and retail stores are restricted to operating at limited capacity. Clubs must remain closed. Restrictions will remain in place until at least July 12. Sao Paulo: A nightly 21:00-05:00 curfew remains in effect until at least July 15 in most of the state. Most businesses, including restaurants, personal care services, parks, clubs, and some entertainment establishments, can operate at 40 percent capacity between 06:00-21:00.

Travel Restrictions Restrictions for travelers entering Brazil have remained largely unchanged. As of July 1, nonresident travelers who have been in , South Africa, or the UK within 14 days prior to arrival are banned from entering the country. Citizens, legal residents, and family members of Brazilian nationals, as well as essential travelers with permits who have traveled through those countries within the past 14 days, will be permitted to return to Brazil. However, these travelers must complete a two-week quarantine period upon arrival.

Travelers entering Brazil by air from other destinations must present a negative result from an RT-PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before travel and must complete a pre-arrival health declaration form. Foreign citizens are allowed to enter Brazil by air for visits of no longer than 90 days.

Most nonresident foreign nationals remain prohibited from entering the country by land and water. Brazilian citizens, permanent residents, and their immediate family members, as well as foreign residents working for international organizations or traveling for trade or humanitarian purposes, are exempt from the ban. Apart from the overarching land border closures and as part of a joint agreement, the land border crossings with Paraguay - specifically those at Foz do Iguacu, Ponta Pora, and Mundo Novo - are open. The government has also reopened sections of the land border with Venezuela to allow the entry of individuals in need of humanitarian assistance.

State and municipal officials could continue to modify their local restrictions depending on local disease activity and government preparedness to respond to the disease. All restrictions are subject to amendment at short notice.

Advice Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements before arrival. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments. Plan for queues and delays at available shopping centers.

Resources World Health Organization (WHO)

Ministry of Health (Portuguese)

Sao Paulo State - COVID-19 (Portuguese)

Rio de Janeiro State - COVID-19 (Portuguese)

Alert begins: 07/01/2021

Health: High COVID-19 activity continues throughout the South American region during June 2021. Maintain basic health precautions. Incident: COVID-19 transmission Location(s): South America (map) Period: May-June 2021 Transmission: Respiratory (coughing, sneezing, speaking)

Summary Several South American countries continue to report COVID-19 transmission through June 30. The following countries have identified confirmed COVID-19 cases June 2-30. Countries are classified by risk of transmission according to the incidence rate over the past four weeks:

Very high risk of transmission

Argentina Bolivia Brazil Chile Colombia French Guiana Paraguay Suriname Uruguay

High risk of transmission

Ecuador Guyana Peru Venezuela

Background and Analysis COVID-19 is a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Human-to-human transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets from infected individuals or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Symptoms occur 1-14 days following exposure (average of 3-7 days). These symptoms typically include fever, fatigue, and dry cough; less common symptoms include headache, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, reddening of the eyes, skin rash, or discoloration of the fingers or toes. Symptoms may worsen to difficulty breathing, pneumonia, and organ failure - especially in those with underlying, chronic medical conditions. Some infected individuals display no symptoms. Multiple variants of COVID-19 have been identified globally, some of which spread more easily between people. COVID-19 vaccines are being distributed to frontline workers and the elderly in some countries, while other vaccines are in varying stages of development and clinical trials; more data is required to determine the efficacy of vaccines against COVID-19 variants.

Older individuals and people of any age with chronic medical conditions or compromised immunity should consider postponing nonessential travel, including domestic travel, and take special precautions to avoid becoming ill, especially where sustained community transmission of COVID-19 is ongoing. All individuals should monitor their health and limit interactions with others for 14 days after returning from travel.

Advice Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease; however, several COVID-19 vaccines have been made available and distributed in some countries. Monitor government vaccination schedules, and get a government-approved vaccine when eligible and when it is offered. All individuals, including vaccinated individuals, should continue to prioritize basic health precautions as long-term immunity against COVID-19 is still being investigated.

Resources WHO coronavirus knowledge base WHO: Public health considerations while resuming international travel US CDC: Guidance for Businesses and Workplaces US CDC: Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities Mental Health Considerations during COVID-19 Outbreak US CDC: Manage Anxiety and Stress New England Journal of Medicine: COVID Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions

Alert begins: 06/30/2021

Health: Elevated chikungunya activity continues in Sao Paulo State, Brazil, during June 2021. Avoid mosquito bites. Event: Chikungunya Affected Area(s): Sao Paulo State (map) Period: January-July 2021 Cases: 12,918 Transmission: Mosquito bites

Summary Brazilian authorities report continued elevated chikungunya activity in Sao Paulo State during 2021, with an additional 945 cases reported May 17-June 13, bringing the total case count to 12,918 cases since Jan. 1. Over a similar period in 2020, only 487 cases were reported. The city of Santos is most affected. This represents the most complete information available as of July 1.

Background and Analysis Chikungunya activity in Brazil is similar to dengue fever, being a nationwide threat. The risk is elevated in urban areas, with parts of Brazil experiencing chikungunya transmission year-round, but the highest number of cases likely occurs January-June.

Chikungunya is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms of chikungunya include fever, joint pain, muscle pain, headache, and rash. Symptoms typically appear 3-7 days after being bitten, but can develop up to 12 days after exposure. Most people recover within a week; however, joint pain can sometimes persist for months.

Advice Avoid mosquito bites, and remove standing water to reduce the number of biting mosquitoes. Seek medical attention if symptoms develop within two weeks of being in affected areas.

Alert begins: 07/01/2021

Security Intelligence

SECURITY

Armed Conflict: Armed Conflict - Brazil Brazil maintains generally good diplomatic relations with all its neighbors, and disagreements or disputes have never taken on a military dimension in the country's recent history. There exists some tension with Venezuela over the Venezuelan migrant crisis. Internally, there are no formal conflicts per se, although narco-trafficking groups do present an organized nationwide criminal threat that many fear could turn into a kind of slow-burn conflict. However, the security dynamics have not yet become that dire.

Civil Unrest: Civil Unrest generally poses a moderate threat in Brazil

Political protests and street demonstrations are common. These events are typically well organized, take place in major cities along major thoroughfares, and revolve around such issues as corruption, discontent over economic policies, anti-establishment anger, and various political events, such as the impeachment of former President Dilma Rousseff in 2016 and the rise of 's presidential candidacy in 2018. The vast majority of these events are peaceful in nature, though do bring severe disruption to traffic flows in cities. However, there have at times been injuries resulting from security forces clashing with demonstrators. There has also been more recent concern over politically-driven violence due to the current climate of polarization and voter anger. Large- scale events, which can attract numbers in the hundreds of thousands, are generally announced well in advance to ensure proper planning for all affected.

Labor strikes and related protests are also somewhat common, specifically among public and unionized sectors. These events pose a risk primarily in terms of service disruptions for affected sectors, but also carry a secondary risk of incidental violence in the case of clashes with security forces. Regarding the latter element, Brazil's police forces have historically had a reputation for heavy-handed responses when dealing with protesters, though in more recent years police officials have attempted to opt for less controversial protest management procedures, as tactics used during unrest had become a public relations issue for them. The growing crime rates in Rio and other cities, however, appear to have seen another rise in these tactics beginning in early 2018 as public impatience with urban violence has outpaced concerns over police abuses.

Contacts and Communication: Emergency numbers and embassy contacts in Brazil Useful numbers for Brazil:

Visitors should familiarize themselves with the location and contact details of other foreign embassies in case their country's embassy closes due to an emergency or some other unexpected circumstances. Another embassy can often provide assistance in such cases.

Fire Emergency 193 Police Emergency 190 Ambulance Emergency 192 Contact information for select embassies in Brazil: If you are calling from outside Brazil, dial +55 first.

Australia - Embassy Canada - Embassy

SES Quadra 801 SES-Av. das Nacoes Conjunto K, Lot 7 Quadra 803, Lot 16 Brasilia Brasilia Phone: +55 (61) 3226.3111 Phone: +55 (61) 3424.5400 Fax: +55 (61) 3226.1112 Fax: +55 (61) 3424.5490 http://brazil.embassy.gov.au/ http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/brazil-bresil/ Germany - Embassy Japan - Embassy

SES-Av. das Nacoes SES-Av. das Nacoes Quadra 807, Lot 25 Quadra 811, Lot 39 Brasilia Brasilia Phone: +55 (61) 3442.7000 Phone: +55 (61) 3442 4200 Fax: +55 (61) 3443.7508 Fax: +55 (61) 3443.9685 http://www.brasil.diplo.de/ http://www.br.emb-japan.go.jp/ Portugal - Embassy Spain - Embassy

SES-Av. das Nacoes SES-Av. das Nacoes Quadra 801, Lote 2 Quadra 811, Lot 44 Brasilia Brasilia Phone: +55 (61) 3032.9600 Phone: +55 (61) 3701.1600 Fax: +55 (61) 3032.9642 Fax: +55 (61) 3242.1781 http://www.embaixadadeportugal.org.br/ http://www.exteriores.gob.es/embajadas/brasilia/es/Paginas/inicio.aspx United Kingdom - Embassy United States - Embassy

SES-Av. das Nacoes SES-Av. das Nacoes Quadra 801, Lot 8 Quadra 801, Lot 3 Brasilia Brasilia Phone: +55 (61) 3329.2300 Phone: +55 (61) 3312.7000 Fax: +55 (61) 3329.2369 Fax: +55 (61) 3312.7676 http://www.gov.uk/world/brazil http://br.usembassy.gov/ For a comprehensive listing of embassy contact information in this destination and a comprehensive listing of Brazilian embassies and consulates in other destinations, visit www.embassypages.com. Please advise WorldAware, using the feedback button, if this link does not work or if you require additional information that the link does not provide.

Crime: Crime generally poses a high threat in Brazil

The country's crime threat will understandably vary, sometimes drastically, according to specific location. One of the few general rules is that the country's southeastern states experience the lowest levels of violent crime, while the northeastern states experience the highest levels. However, such a generalization does not mean that specific incidents of violence cannot also occur alongside more common opportunistic crime in southeastern cities.

The two most populous cities, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, are known for a mix of both opportunistic and violent crime, with Rio being perceived as somewhat more risky in terms of violent crime due to a higher prevalence of -based there and a generally poorer security strategy by local government. Indeed, the country's military has been mobilized in Rio since early 2018 to support policing activities. Sao Paulo, by contrast, has made notable security gains over the years, particularly concerning kidnapping and homicide. In general, opportunistic crime in both cities is most likely to occur in crowded public areas and on public transportation as well as on public beaches in Rio. Violent crime, by contrast, will happen more often in isolated areas - often at night - and in socioeconomically poorer neighborhoods, or . There remains a potential for narco-related violence to rise in the future in these cities and others, as narco-trafficking gangs have begun to compete for transshipment routes. Currently, narco-violence remains primarily confined to the country's prisons, which house thousands of individuals from said gangs, as well as in favelas.

In general, rural areas are more likely to be safer than the country's urban centers, although exceptions to this rule do exist, particularly along the border with Venezuela, the tri-border area, and in the Amazon. Regarding the latter, numerous reports of river-based piracy have been logged against passenger boats in the vast region, as boats are often isolated and vulnerable along long stretches of waterways.

Finally, credit card and debit card theft has become a notable issue in Brazil, in particular. ATM tampering as well as card-skimming in restaurants and other establishments are commonly reported problems. ATMs in banks, hotels, and other high-end establishments are likely to be safer for usage, but discreetly entering pin numbers is still strongly advised.

Related Advice: Protecting yourself from carjacking and reacting when it happens. Related Advice: Strategies for reducing the risk of becoming a victim of LGBT hate crime.

Geopolitical: The geopolitical threat in Brazil is high Corruption is endemic in Brazil, though anti-corruption investigations have encouragingly become more common. Rule of law has improved somewhat due to crackdowns on corruption and increased security, but many areas remain problematic. Despite the 2016 presidential impeachment and the deterioration of traditional political parties in 2018, the country's system of governance is fundamentally sound. Sanctions are not a major concern for Brazil.

Kidnapping/Hostage Situation: The threat of kidnapping in Brazil is high

Kidnapping

The threat of kidnapping in Brazil is high; kidnappers are more likely to target locals, especially well-known and/or wealthy businessmen, in for-ransom kidnappings. The most common types of abduction in Brazil include basic opportunistic kidnap-for-ransom, express kidnapping, and virtual kidnapping.

In express kidnappings, foreign nationals face the same threat as locals since abductors randomly target individuals on the street. During express kidnappings, abductors have been known to approach victims as they enter and exit vehicles or are at ATMs; victims are then typically escorted to other ATMs to withdraw money before being left in an isolated area. Kidnapping rates tend to be inaccurate in Brazil since many incidents go unreported due to victims' fear of reprisals. Victims are sometimes released unharmed and relatively quickly; however, kidnapping-for-ransom victims may face longer periods of confinement. Kidnapping poses the greatest threat in major metropolitan areas, especially Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.

Related Advice: Avoiding and surviving kidnapping situations.

Security Services: Security Services generally poses a high threat in Brazil

Security Services

The capabilities and responsiveness of security services in Brazil are generally poor. Although Brazil has a number of different security forces, foreign nationals will most likely interact with the (PM), Tourist Police, and (PC). Police officers do not generally speak other languages; however, officers at Tourist Police stations speak a variety of languages, including English, French, German, and Italian. There are Tourist Police stations in Brazil's major cities, including Sao Paulo, , Brasilia, , Rio de Janeiro, and Salvador. PMs patrol the streets, and the Civil Police (PC) carry out investigations. Resources and capacity vary greatly in Brazil, and largely depend on whether the area is urban or rural. In larger metropolitan areas, security services tend to have better access to resources, while in rural areas, response time is notoriously slow. Corruption among police forces poses an issue; however, officers tend to target local residents for small bribes rather than foreign nationals. If reporting a crime, foreign nationals should also consider liaising with their diplomatic mission.

Terrorism: Terrorism generally poses a low threat in Brazil The country has had no significant history of terrorism-related incidents in its recent past, though many have emphasized the continued existence of Hezbollah sympathizers in the tri-border area (TBA) shared with Argentina and Paraguay. However, any Islamist activities there are thought to be strictly fundraising-oriented in nature for operations abroad due to the region's lucrative illicit economy; a threat of direct attack is not assumed. In the lead-up to the 2016 Olympic Games, security forces did arrest a number of alleged sympathizers throughout the country who had discussed the possibility of planning an attack in Brazil but had not actually done any of said planning. It is unclear how serious these individuals were, as officials described them as "amateurs".

Related Advice: General guidelines to protect yourself against terrorism.

Overview of Brazil

Brazil, the only Portuguese-speaking country in the Americas, is considered the principal anchor economy of South America and, along with Mexico, of Latin America at large. Significant economic growth during the commodities supercycle at the turn of the century catapulted it onto the world stage, as the country won the rights to host such prestigious global events as the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympic Games. The country is among the few Latin American nations that boast well developed agricultural and service sectors as well as a certain amount of industry. However, more recent years have been defined by reputation-shattering corruption scandals, political crises, and economic malaise which have largely done away with the earlier mood of national optimism. The country is now grappling with the continued effects of high-profile corruption investigations as well as far-reaching and controversial austerity measures which are intended to restore economic growth and investor confidence. The Brazilian political establishment has largely been decimated by voter anger over these issues, and "outsider" (often populist) politicians have thus gained a great deal of traction.

The threat matrix for the country will vary considerably depending upon the area(s) visited. Cities such as Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro see a mix of both opportunistic and violent crime, though violent crime is a much bigger risk in cities in the more impoverished northeastern states. By contrast, the Amazonian region will present notable risks in terms of a lack of infrastructure, while the southeastern states are known for their relative physical safety and prosperity but often dramatic weather events.

As of early 2020, the country has been severely affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, with a number of public health restrictions imposed by state and local governments. Weather, Currency Exchange

BRAZIL WEATHER CURRENCY EXCHANGE

Brasilia Aeroporto: CURRENCY 1 Brazilian 1 Euro 1 US Jul 12 Jul 13 Jul 14 Jul 15 Jul 16 NAMES Real = = Dollar = 1.0000 6.2440 5.2594 High: 80° High: 81° High: 81° High: 84° High: 88° Euro 0.1602 1.0000 0.8423 F (26° C) F (27° C) F (27° C) F (28° C) F (31° C) US Dollar 0.1901 1.1872 1.0000 Low: 54° Low: 56° Low: 56° Low: 59° Low: 61° F (12° C) F (13° C) F (13° C) F (15° C) F (16° C) Rio De Janeiro Aeroporto: Jul 12 Jul 13 Jul 14 Jul 15 Jul 16

High: 77° High: 80° High: 83° High: 86° High: 82° F (25° C) F (26° C) F (28° C) F (30° C) F (27° C) Low: 63° Low: 64° Low: 66° Low: 68° Low: 69° F (17° C) F (17° C) F (18° C) F (20° C) F (20° C)

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