Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 251287 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
AEMR ASEC AMGT AE AS AMED AVIAN AU AF AORC AGENDA AO AR AM APER AFIN ATRN AJ ABUD ARABL AL AG AODE ALOW ADANA AADP AND APECO ACABQ ASEAN AA AFFAIRS AID AGR AY AGS AFSI AGOA AMB ARF ANET ASCH ACOA AFLU AFSN AMEX AFDB ABLD AESC AFGHANISTAN AINF AVIATION ARR ARSO ANDREW ASSEMBLY AIDS APRC ASSK ADCO ASIG AC AZ APEC AFINM ADB AP ACOTA ASEX ACKM ASUP ANTITERRORISM ADPM AINR ARABLEAGUE AGAO AORG AMTC AIN ACCOUNT ASECAFINGMGRIZOREPTU AIDAC AINT ARCH AMGTKSUP ALAMI AMCHAMS ALJAZEERA AVIANFLU AORD AOREC ALIREZA AOMS AMGMT ABDALLAH AORCAE AHMED ACCELERATED AUC ALZUGUREN ANGEL AORL ASECIR AMG AMBASSADOR AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL ADM ASES ABMC AER AMER ASE AMGTHA ARNOLDFREDERICK AOPC ACS AFL AEGR ASED AFPREL AGRI AMCHAM ARNOLD AN ANATO AME APERTH ASECSI AT ACDA ASEDC AIT AMERICA AMLB AMGE ACTION AGMT AFINIZ ASECVE ADRC ABER AGIT APCS AEMED ARABBL ARC ASO AIAG ACEC ASR ASECM ARG AEC ABT ADIP ADCP ANARCHISTS AORCUN AOWC ASJA AALC AX AROC ARM AGENCIES ALBE AK AZE AOPR AREP AMIA ASCE ALANAZI ABDULRAHMEN ABDULHADI AINFCY ARMS ASECEFINKCRMKPAOPTERKHLSAEMRNS AGRICULTURE AFPK AOCR ALEXANDER ATRD ATFN ABLG AORCD AFGHAN ARAS AORCYM AVERY ALVAREZ ACBAQ ALOWAR ANTOINE ABLDG ALAB AMERICAS AFAF ASECAFIN ASEK ASCC AMCT AMGTATK AMT APDC AEMRS ASECE AFSA ATRA ARTICLE ARENA AISG AEMRBC AFR AEIR ASECAF AFARI AMPR ASPA ASOC ANTONIO AORCL ASECARP APRM AUSTRALIAGROUP ASEG AFOR AEAID AMEDI ASECTH ASIC AFDIN AGUIRRE AUNR ASFC AOIC ANTXON ASA ASECCASC ALI AORCEUNPREFPRELSMIGBN ASECKHLS ASSSEMBLY ASECVZ AI ASECPGOV ASIR ASCEC ASAC ARAB AIEA ADMIRAL AUSGR AQ AMTG ARRMZY ANC APR AMAT AIHRC AFU ADEL AECL ACAO AMEMR ADEP AV AW AOR ALL ALOUNI AORCUNGA ALNEA ASC AORCO ARMITAGE AGENGA AGRIC AEM ACOAAMGT AGUILAR AFPHUM AMEDCASCKFLO AFZAL AAA ATPDEA ASECPHUM ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
ETRD ETTC EU ECON EFIN EAGR EAID ELAB EINV ENIV ENRG EPET EZ ELTN ELECTIONS ECPS ET ER EG EUN EIND ECONOMICS EMIN ECIN EINT EWWT EAIR EN ENGR ES EI ETMIN EL EPA EARG EFIS ECONOMY EC EK ELAM ECONOMIC EAR ESDP ECCP ELN EUM EUMEM ECA EAP ELEC ECOWAS EFTA EXIM ETTD EDRC ECOSOC ECPSN ENVIRONMENT ECO EMAIL ECTRD EREL EDU ENERG ENERGY ENVR ETRAD EAC EXTERNAL EFIC ECIP ERTD EUC ENRGMO EINZ ESTH ECCT EAGER ECPN ELNT ERD EGEN ETRN EIVN ETDR EXEC EIAD EIAR EVN EPRT ETTF ENGY EAIDCIN EXPORT ETRC ESA EIB EAPC EPIT ESOCI ETRB EINDQTRD ENRC EGOV ECLAC EUR ELF ETEL ENRGUA EVIN EARI ESCAP EID ERIN ELAN ENVT EDEV EWWY EXBS ECOM EV ELNTECON ECE ETRDGK EPETEIND ESCI ETRDAORC EAIDETRD ETTR EMS EAGRECONEINVPGOVBN EBRD EUREM ERGR EAGRBN EAUD EFI ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ETRO ENRGY EGAR ESSO EGAD ENV ENER EAIDXMXAXBXFFR ELA EET EINVETRD EETC EIDN ERGY ETRDPGOV EING EMINCG EINVECON EURM EEC EICN EINO EPSC ELAP ELABPGOVBN EE ESPS ETRA ECONETRDBESPAR ERICKSON EEOC EVENTS EPIN EB ECUN EPWR ENG EX EH EAIDAR EAIS ELBA EPETUN ETRDEIQ EENV ECPC ETRP ECONENRG EUEAID EWT EEB EAIDNI ESENV EADM ECN ENRGKNNP ETAD ETR ECONETRDEAGRJA ETRG ETER EDUC EITC EBUD EAIF EBEXP EAIDS EITI EGOVSY EFQ ECOQKPKO ETRGY ESF EUE EAIC EPGOV ENFR EAGRE ENRD EINTECPS EAVI ETC ETCC EIAID EAIDAF EAGREAIDPGOVPRELBN EAOD ETRDA EURN EASS EINVA EAIDRW EON ECOR EPREL EGPHUM ELTM ECOS EINN ENNP EUPGOV EAGRTR ECONCS ETIO ETRDGR EAIDB EISNAR EIFN ESPINOSA EAIDASEC ELIN EWTR EMED ETFN ETT EADI EPTER ELDIN EINVEFIN ESS ENRGIZ EQRD ESOC ETRDECD ECINECONCS EAIT ECONEAIR ECONEFIN EUNJ ENRGKNNPMNUCPARMPRELNPTIAEAJMXL ELAD EFIM ETIC EFND EFN ETLN ENGRD EWRG ETA EIN EAIRECONRP EXIMOPIC ERA ENRGJM ECONEGE ENVI ECHEVARRIA EMINETRD EAD ECONIZ EENG ELBR EWWC ELTD EAIDMG ETRK EIPR EISNLN ETEX EPTED EFINECONCS EPCS EAG ETRDKIPR ED EAIO ETRDEC ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ERNG EFINU EURFOR EWWI ELTNSNAR ETD EAIRASECCASCID EOXC ESTN EAIDAORC EAGRRP ETRDEMIN ELABPHUMSMIGKCRMBN ETRDEINVTINTCS EGHG EAIDPHUMPRELUG EAGRBTIOBEXPETRDBN EDA EPETPGOV ELAINE EUCOM EMW EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM ELB EINDETRD EMI ETRDECONWTOCS EINR ESTRADA EHUM EFNI ELABV ENR EMN EXO EWWTPRELPGOVMASSMARRBN EATO END EP EINVETC ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID ELTRN EIQ ETTW EAI ENGRG ETRED ENDURING ETTRD EAIDEGZ EOCN EINF EUPREL ENRL ECPO ENLT EEFIN EPPD ECOIN EUEAGR EISL EIDE ENRGSD EINVECONSENVCSJA EAIG ENTG EEPET EUNCH EPECO ETZ EPAT EPTE EAIRGM ETRDPREL EUNGRSISAFPKSYLESO ETTN EINVKSCA ESLCO EBMGT ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EFLU ELND EFINOECD EAIDHO EDUARDO ENEG ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EFINTS ECONQH ENRGPREL EUNPHUM EINDIR EPE EMINECINECONSENVTBIONS EFINM ECRM EQ EWWTSP ECONPGOVBN
KFLO KPKO KDEM KFLU KTEX KMDR KPAO KCRM KIDE KN KNNP KG KMCA KZ KJUS KWBG KU KDMR KAWC KCOR KPAL KOMC KTDB KTIA KISL KHIV KHUM KTER KCFE KTFN KS KIRF KTIP KIRC KSCA KICA KIPR KPWR KWMN KE KGIC KGIT KSTC KACT KSEP KFRD KUNR KHLS KCRS KRVC KUWAIT KVPR KSRE KMPI KMRS KNRV KNEI KCIP KSEO KITA KDRG KV KSUM KCUL KPET KBCT KO KSEC KOLY KNAR KGHG KSAF KWNM KNUC KMNP KVIR KPOL KOCI KPIR KLIG KSAC KSTH KNPT KINL KPRP KRIM KICC KIFR KPRV KAWK KFIN KT KVRC KR KHDP KGOV KPOW KTBT KPMI KPOA KRIF KEDEM KFSC KY KGCC KATRINA KWAC KSPR KTBD KBIO KSCI KRCM KNNB KBNC KIMT KCSY KINR KRAD KMFO KCORR KW KDEMSOCI KNEP KFPC KEMPI KBTR KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNPP KTTB KTFIN KBTS KCOM KFTN KMOC KOR KDP KPOP KGHA KSLG KMCR KJUST KUM KMSG KHPD KREC KIPRTRD KPREL KEN KCSA KCRIM KGLB KAKA KWWT KUNP KCRN KISLPINR KLFU KUNC KEDU KCMA KREF KPAS KRKO KNNC KLHS KWAK KOC KAPO KTDD KOGL KLAP KECF KCRCM KNDP KSEAO KCIS KISM KREL KISR KISC KKPO KWCR KPFO KUS KX KWCI KRFD KWPG KTRD KH KLSO KEVIN KEANE KACW KWRF KNAO KETTC KTAO KWIR KVCORR KDEMGT KPLS KICT KWGB KIDS KSCS KIRP KSTCPL KDEN KLAB KFLOA KIND KMIG KPPAO KPRO KLEG KGKG KCUM KTTP KWPA KIIP KPEO KICR KNNA KMGT KCROM KMCC KLPM KNNPGM KSIA KSI KWWW KOMS KESS KMCAJO KWN KTDM KDCM KCM KVPRKHLS KENV KCCP KGCN KCEM KEMR KWMNKDEM KNNPPARM KDRM KWIM KJRE KAID KWMM KPAONZ KUAE KTFR KIF KNAP KPSC KSOCI KCWI KAUST KPIN KCHG KLBO KIRCOEXC KI KIRCHOFF KSTT KNPR KDRL KCFC KLTN KPAOKMDRKE KPALAOIS KESO KKOR KSMT KFTFN KTFM KDEMK KPKP KOCM KNN KISLSCUL KFRDSOCIRO KINT KRG KWMNSMIG KSTCC KPAOY KFOR KWPR KSEPCVIS KGIV KSEI KIL KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KQ KEMS KHSL KTNF KPDD KANSOU KKIV KFCE KTTC KGH KNNNP KK KSCT KWNN KAWX KOMCSG KEIM KTSD KFIU KDTB KFGM KACP KWWMN KWAWC KSPA KGICKS KNUP KNNO KISLAO KTPN KSTS KPRM KPALPREL KPO KTLA KCRP KNMP KAWCK KCERS KDUM KEDM KTIALG KWUN KPTS KPEM KMEPI KAWL KHMN KCRO KCMR KPTD KCROR KMPT KTRF KSKN KMAC KUK KIRL KEM KSOC KBTC KOM KINP KDEMAF KTNBT KISK KRM KWBW KBWG KNNPMNUC KNOP KSUP KCOG KNET KWBC KESP KMRD KEBG KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KPWG KOMCCO KRGY KNNF KPROG KJAN KFRED KPOKO KM KWMNCS KMPF KJWC KJU KSMIG KALR KRAL KDGOV KPA KCRMJA KCRI KAYLA KPGOV KRD KNNPCH KFEM KPRD KFAM KALM KIPRETRDKCRM KMPP KADM KRFR KMWN KWRG KTIAPARM KTIAEUN KRDP KLIP KDDEM KTIAIC KWKN KPAD KDM KRCS KWBGSY KEAI KIVP KPAOPREL KUNH KTSC KIPT KNP KJUSTH KGOR KEPREL KHSA KGHGHIV KNNR KOMH KRCIM KWPB KWIC KINF KPER KILS KA KNRG KCSI KFRP KLFLO KFE KNPPIS KQM KQRDQ KERG KPAOPHUM KSUMPHUM KVBL KARIM KOSOVO KNSD KUIR KWHG KWBGXF KWMNU KPBT KKNP KERF KCRT KVIS KWRC KVIP KTFS KMARR KDGR KPAI KDE KTCRE KMPIO KUNRAORC KHOURY KAWS KPAK KOEM KCGC KID KVRP KCPS KIVR KBDS KWOMN KIIC KTFNJA KARZAI KMVP KHJUS KPKOUNSC KMAR KIBL KUNA KSA KIS KJUSAF KDEV KPMO KHIB KIRD KOUYATE KIPRZ KBEM KPAM KDET KPPD KOSCE KJUSKUNR KICCPUR KRMS KWMNPREL KWMJN KREISLER KWM KDHS KRV KPOV KWMNCI KMPL KFLD KWWN KCVM KIMMITT KCASC KOMO KNATO KDDG KHGH KRF KSCAECON KWMEN KRIC
PREL PINR PGOV PHUM PTER PE PREF PARM PBTS PINS PHSA PK PL PM PNAT PHAS PO PROP PGOVE PA PU POLITICAL PPTER POL PALESTINIAN PHUN PIN PAMQ PPA PSEC POLM PBIO PSOE PDEM PAK PF PKAO PGOVPRELMARRMOPS PMIL PV POLITICS PRELS POLICY PRELHA PIRN PINT PGOG PERSONS PRC PEACE PROCESS PRELPGOV PROV PFOV PKK PRE PT PIRF PSI PRL PRELAF PROG PARMP PERL PUNE PREFA PP PGOB PUM PROTECTION PARTIES PRIL PEL PAGE PS PGO PCUL PLUM PIF PGOVENRGCVISMASSEAIDOPRCEWWTBN PMUC PCOR PAS PB PKO PY PKST PTR PRM POUS PRELIZ PGIC PHUMS PAL PNUC PLO PMOPS PHM PGOVBL PBK PELOSI PTE PGOVAU PNR PINSO PRO PLAB PREM PNIR PSOCI PBS PD PHUML PERURENA PKPA PVOV PMAR PHUMCF PUHM PHUH PRELPGOVETTCIRAE PRT PROPERTY PEPFAR PREI POLUN PAR PINSF PREFL PH PREC PPD PING PQL PINSCE PGV PREO PRELUN POV PGOVPHUM PINRES PRES PGOC PINO POTUS PTERE PRELKPAO PRGOV PETR PGOVEAGRKMCAKNARBN PPKO PARLIAMENT PEPR PMIG PTBS PACE PETER PMDL PVIP PKPO POLMIL PTEL PJUS PHUMNI PRELKPAOIZ PGOVPREL POGV PEREZ POWELL PMASS PDOV PARN PG PPOL PGIV PAIGH PBOV PETROL PGPV PGOVL POSTS PSO PRELEU PRELECON PHUMPINS PGOVKCMABN PQM PRELSP PRGO PATTY PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PGVO PROTESTS PRELPLS PKFK PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PARAGRAPH PRELGOV POG PTRD PTERM PBTSAG PHUMKPAL PRELPK PTERPGOV PAO PRIVATIZATION PSCE PPAO PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PARALYMPIC PRUM PKPRP PETERS PAHO PARMS PGREL PINV POINS PHUMPREL POREL PRELNL PHUMPGOV PGOVQL PLAN PRELL PARP PROVE PSOC PDD PRELNP PRELBR PKMN PGKV PUAS PRELTBIOBA PBTSEWWT PTERIS PGOVU PRELGG PHUMPRELPGOV PFOR PEPGOV PRELUNSC PRAM PICES PTERIZ PREK PRELEAGR PRELEUN PHUME PHU PHUMKCRS PRESL PRTER PGOF PARK PGOVSOCI PTERPREL PGOVEAID PGOVPHUMKPAO PINSKISL PREZ PGOVAF PARMEUN PECON PINL POGOV PGOVLO PIERRE PRELPHUM PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PBST PKPAO PHUMHUPPS PGOVPOL PASS PPGOV PROGV PAGR PHALANAGE PARTY PRELID PGOVID PHUMR PHSAQ PINRAMGT PSA PRELM PRELMU PIA PINRPE PBTSRU PARMIR PEDRO PNUK PVPR PINOCHET PAARM PRFE PRELEIN PINF PCI PSEPC PGOVSU PRLE PDIP PHEM PRELB PORG PGGOC POLG POPDC PGOVPM PWMN PDRG PHUMK PINB PRELAL PRER PFIN PNRG PRED POLI PHUMBO PHYTRP PROLIFERATION PHARM PUOS PRHUM PUNR PENA PGOVREL PETRAEUS PGOVKDEM PGOVENRG PHUS PRESIDENT PTERKU PRELKSUMXABN PGOVSI PHUMQHA PKISL PIR PGOVZI PHUMIZNL PKNP PRELEVU PMIN PHIM PHUMBA PUBLIC PHAM PRELKPKO PMR PARTM PPREL PN PROL PDA PGOVECON PKBL PKEAID PERM PRELEZ PRELC PER PHJM PGOVPRELPINRBN PRFL PLN PWBG PNG PHUMA PGOR PHUMPTER POLINT PPEF PKPAL PNNL PMARR PAC PTIA PKDEM PAUL PREG PTERR PTERPRELPARMPGOVPBTSETTCEAIRELTNTC PRELJA POLS PI PNS PAREL PENV PTEROREP PGOVM PINER PBGT PHSAUNSC PTERDJ PRELEAID PARMIN PKIR PLEC PCRM PNET PARR PRELETRD PRELBN PINRTH PREJ PEACEKEEPINGFORCES PEMEX PRELZ PFLP PBPTS PTGOV PREVAL PRELSW PAUM PRF PHUMKDEM PATRICK PGOVKMCAPHUMBN PRELA PNUM PGGV PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PBT PIND PTEP PTERKS PGOVJM PGOT PRELMARR PGOVCU PREV PREFF PRWL PET PROB PRELPHUMP PHUMAF PVTS PRELAFDB PSNR PGOVECONPRELBU PGOVZL PREP PHUMPRELBN PHSAPREL PARCA PGREV PGOVDO PGON PCON PODC PRELOV PHSAK PSHA PGOVGM PRELP POSCE PGOVPTER PHUMRU PINRHU PARMR PGOVTI PPEL PMAT PAN PANAM PGOVBO PRELHRC

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 09SAOPAULO558, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PCC?

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09SAOPAULO558.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
09SAOPAULO558 2009-09-22 17:29 2011-08-30 01:44 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Consulate Sao Paulo
VZCZCXRO1557
PP RUEHRG
DE RUEHSO #0558/01 2651729
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 221729Z SEP 09
FM AMCONSUL SAO PAULO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9624
INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION PRIORITY 0034
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 0762
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES PRIORITY 3649
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 0838
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ PRIORITY 4147
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO PRIORITY 2967
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO PRIORITY 0034
RUEHRG/AMCONSUL RECIFE PRIORITY 4428
RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO PRIORITY 9256
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 SAO PAULO 000558 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/BSC, 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PINR PGOV PREL SNAR BR AVERY
SUBJECT: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PCC? 
 
REF: A. ASUNCION 701 (08) 
     B. ASUNCION 338 (07) 
     C. INCSR BRAZIL 2008 
     D. SAO PAULO 228 (08) 
     E. SAO PAULO 66 (08) 
     F. SAO PAULO 873 (07) 
     G. SAO PAULO 447 (07) 
     H. SAO PAULO 975 (06) 
     I. SAO PAULO 526 (06) 
     J. SAO PAULO 319 (06) 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary: For three days in May 2006, the 
imprisoned leaders of the Sao Paulo-based criminal 
organization, the First Capital Command (PCC), orchestrated 
uprisings in Sao Paulo's streets and in Brazil's prisons 
that killed almost fifty police, captured global headlines 
and paralyzed the nerve center of the world's 
eighth-largest economy.  Police struck back, killing scores 
of PCC members (Refs H, I and previous).  The violent 
outburst ended as 
swiftly as it began and the PCC has not since launched any 
similar mass attack.  While observers attribute the uneasy 
peace to better police capabilities, limits on imprisoned 
PCC leaders' access to outside contacts, and the housing of 
key PCC leaders in a new "supermax" prison in Parana State 
(Ref I), the PCC remains strong, benefiting from lucrative 
drug and arms smuggling operations that reach across Brazil 
and extend deeply into neighboring Paraguay with 
international links to 
Bolivia and even Portugal (Refs A, B, C, H).  Locally, the 
PCC 
retains its insurrectionary capability, at times reacting to 
police drug 
raids with neighborhood-level uprisings that last for a 
night. 
To truly eliminate the  PCC criminal threat, Brazil must 
further 
professionalize its police, both expand and tighten its 
porous prison 
system, and see that greater state services and 
opportunities reach the marginalized youth of the poorest 
neighborhoods where the PCC recruits its followers.  End 
Summary. 
 
Three Days that Shook Sao Paulo 
 
2.  (SBU) Following the transfer of some of its imprisoned 
leadership to isolated facilities, the Sao Paulo-based 
criminal organization First Capital Command (PCC) waged war 
against police, judicial and prison authorities for three 
days (May 12-15) in 2006.  Organized PCC gang members 
openly attacked police stations and police officers at 
home, took over several prisons, burned buses, and 
effectively paralyzed the country,s financial nerve 
center.  Almost 50 police were killed in the attacks, which 
captured headlines around the world.  Initially taken by 
surprise, the police struck back, killing over 150 alleged 
PCC members and, according to critics, at least some 
innocents caught in cross fires (Refs H, I).  The violence 
ended suddenly on May 15, when PCC leaders announced a 
"truce" with local government authorities (something the 
latter denied) (Ref F).  Even so, in the ensuing months, 
Sao Paulo remained jittery, as smaller incidents of 
apparent PCC-related violence flared.  Since that time, the 
PCC has lowered its overall profile.  The organization 
remains strong, however, benefiting from lucrative trades 
in drugs and arms, a strong presence in prisons, and a 
demonstrated capability to mobilize violent neighborhood 
uprisings against police intervention in the narcotics 
trade. 
 
PCC Origins: Born in the Prison System 
 
3.  (SBU) The PCC was founded in 1993 by eight inmates of 
Sao Paulo State's Taubate prison, allegedly as an 
organization dedicated to fighting for prisoner rights. 
Unlike more typical criminal organizations, it has a series 
of founding statutes that emphasize its goals to reform the 
 
SAO PAULO 00000558  002 OF 004 
 
 
prison system and to promote "peace and justice."  (Members 
refer to the organization as "the Party.")  Operationally, 
the PCC modeled itself after the Sicilian Mafia with strict 
entrance requirements, organized contribution obligations 
for members and an agreed death penalty for disloyalty. 
The group grew quickly in Sao Paulo's overcrowded, laxly 
administered prison system, using smuggled-in cell phones 
to coordinate outside actions, primarily trade in illegal 
drugs and guns, but also other criminal activities. 
 
Less Violent Efforts to Control PCC Take Root 
 
4.  (SBU) State and national authorities responded to the 
PCC's 2006 uprising with commensurate violence on suspected 
PCC members that left scores dead and reportedly included 
extrajudicial executions and the deaths of some innocents. 
(COMMENT: Human Rights watchers argue that these cases have 
never been fully investigated.  END COMMENT).  Since 2006, 
Brazilian authorities have taken more subtle but, experts 
say, effective measures against the group such as 
controlling the entry of cell phones into prisons which are 
the PCC,s key tool for coordinating its operations inside 
and outside of Brazil,s prisons.  Likewise, the GOB 
constructed a maximum security prison in Catanduvas in 
Parana State and transferred some forty senior PCC members 
to this facility.  Finally, the Brazilian police have 
enhanced their operational capabilities to monitoring PCC 
cell phone communications and carry out larger, more 
complex law enforcement operations. 
 
How the PCC Perpetuates Itself 
 
5.  (SBU)Several key factors keep the PCC going: 
 
--Plenty of Money: Despite the loss of numerous members in 
2006, restrictions on their communications and police 
pressure, the PCC persists.  Trade in guns and drugs 
provide lucrative sources of income.  Many of Sao Paulo's 
poorest neighborhoodshave little or no state presence and 
the PCC can easily generate illicit financial opportunities 
for the unemployed.  Sao Paulo Civil Police Chief Alberto 
Angerami 
told Poloff that he knew of the case of a young drug user 
who, after being arrested, was threatened with death if he 
revealed the names of his drug suppliers and, upon his 
release, was offered USD 2500/month to oversee the 
distribution of drugs in his neighborhood.  The PCC's drug 
tentacles spread far outward from Sao Paulo. During a March 
trip to the Paraguay-Brazil border in Matto Grosso do Sul 
State and September travel to Foz de Iguacu, local 
authorities in both areas complained to Poloff of PCC 
drug-running in their cities, moving illegal narcotics from 
Paraguay to markets in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, and 
the associated violence this generates in poor 
neighborhoods where the PCC has taken root. 
 
--International Connections: The PCC strong presence at 
Brazil's 
borders indicates its international linkages.  Brazil Federal 
Police in Foz de Iguacu complained that PCC leaders live 
openly 
in Paraguay, due to the generally lax administration of the 
law in their neighbor's country.  (Note: Brazil Federal Police 
did praise Paraguay's SENAD.  Nonetheless, the weakness of 
other 
Paraguayan institutions makes that country an attractive 
place for 
PCC leaders to maintain residences.  End Note.)  Over the 
last 
several years, reports have indicated further PCC 
drug-smuggling 
linkages to Bolivia and even Portugal.  PCC members have been 
arrested 
in both Paraguay and Portugal (Refs A, B, C, H). 
 
--Porous Prisons: Though the prisons are less rebellious 
than three years ago, liberal rules regarding visits (which 
permit conjugal meetings between prisoners and their 
 
SAO PAULO 00000558  003 OF 004 
 
 
romantic partners) create multiple opportunities to smuggle 
cell phones into the prisons as well as transfer messages 
in and out (Ref E).  Moreover, Sao Paulo's prisons, probably 
among 
the best in Brazil, remain overcrowded with guards 
underpaid.  Most likely, the increased orderliness of Sao 
Paulo State's prison system results from an "agreement" 
between prison authorities and PCC leaders to keep things 
quiet, according to University of Sao Paulo Professor and 
penitentiary expert Fernando Salla. 
 
--Long-Term Vision: Federal Police sources grudgingly 
praise the PCC for its "long-term" vision.  The 
organization, they say, is cultivating its own lawyers, 
working to get control of key judges and backing select 
local politicians in Rio and Sao Paulo.  One officer 
interviewed predicted that the PCC will eventually either 
establish or "rent" a political party that can promote its 
interests. 
 
Adjusting Tactics, But Still Dangerous 
 
6.  (SBU) Although no major uprisings have taken place in 
Sao Paulo since 2006, the PCC maintains an insurrectionary 
capability.  Just this year -- on February 8-9, August 26, 
and September 1 -- drug arrests by police in different Sao 
Paulo neighborhoods that resulted in the deaths of local 
residents 
sparked rioting and bus burning in the style, if not the 
scale, of the 2006 uprisings.  Police reacted in all cases 
by flooding the area with riot police and using helicopters 
to monitor developments.  Order was quickly restored in each 
case, but 
many observers believe that local elements of the PCC 
directed the riots to remind authorities of the PCC,s hold 
over Sao Paulo,s poorest neighborhoods. 
 
Long-Term Solution: Police Professionalism, Improved 
Prisons, and Youth Outreach 
 
7.  (SBU) Several key human rights issues are closely 
interwoven with efforts to control the PCC.  Most 
importantly, police violence has frequently been the spark 
for PCC riots and neighborhood uprisings usually after 
police kill someone during a law enforcement operation. 
These incidents generally take place in poor neighborhoods 
where citizen trust of the police is low to non-existent. 
Brazil,s Civil Police, who are usually on the front lines 
of urban police work, receive low pay and enjoy little 
prestige.  They have a human rights office, but, according 
to Consulate RSO, the program is not well funded or 
effective.  Until professional levels are raised, the Civil 
Police will likely remain trapped in a vicious circle of 
unprofessional behavior and citizen mistrust. 
 
8.  (SBU) Likewise, Brazil's prisons remain far from 
adequate for containing and cutting off highly 
organized criminals with communications 
ability.  Police sources told Poloff that, despite 
augmented control efforts, cell phones are still smuggled 
into penitentiaries and permit PCC members to coordinate 
activities with those on the outside, thanks to 
easily-corrupted, 
often-underpaid prison guards. 
 
9.  (SBU) Finally, too many of Sao Paulo's peripheral 
neighborhoods remained ungoverned spaces with little or no 
state presence, fertile recruiting grounds for 
PCC-connected gangs who can offer criminal opportunities to 
local unemployed youth.  However, PCC associations come 
back to haunt many youth.  The Sao Paulo Human Rights 
Commission runs a shelter for PCC-threatened youth. 
Originally designed to respond to problems of family 
violence, the program has become, instead, a kind of 
witness protection program for young men fleeing reprisals 
from drug gangs supported by the PCC.  More than half of 
the 90 youth enrolled in the program are seeking refuge from 
narcotics traffickers, who torture and even kill youths who 
 
SAO PAULO 00000558  004 OF 004 
 
 
decide to leave drug smuggling organizations, according to 
Commission official Celia Christina Whitaker. 
 
Comment: The PCC is Still There 
 
10.  (SBU) While Brazil has not faced a large-scale PCC 
outburst since 2006 and a number of tactical responses by 
law enforcement authorities have helped check PCC 
operational capability, the PCC remains a serious criminal 
threat.  With a rudimentary ideology, criminal connections 
that span the country and extend into neighboring states, 
and an impressive operational capacity, the group's present 
lowered profile should not lull observers into believing 
it has gone away.  The PCC will continue to damage Brazilian 
society and threaten community security, until the GOB 
adopts a more comprehensive and long-term strategy to 
improve law enforcement professionalism and opportunities for 
under-privileged youth. 
WHITE