

How a street gang became a government
May 20, 2025
30m
EN
Jake Hanrahan
Brazil's "Red Command" drug cartel is considered a plague by the government. But for the people of the favelas they control, Red Command *is* the government. They’re the de facto leadership of the area. The gang has taken over the role of the authorities in their shanty towns, where the state has long abandoned them. Away Days got special access to the Rio favelas, hanging out out with young foot-soldiers, speaking to commanders, and seeing how civilians live between the gangs and the equally violent police militias.

Jake Hanrahan
Reporter / Producer

Louis Hollis
Director of Photography

Thiago Dezan
Field Producer



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Jonny Pickup
Executive Producer

Sam Black
Music
H11 Studio
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