Police strike plunges Brazil state into chaos

The governor of the Brazilian state of Espirito Santo announced on Wednesday that more soldiers were arriving to quell the chaos and violence that has seized the region as a police strike entered its fifth day. Acting Governor Cesar Colnago said the 1,200 already sent by Brasilia were "not sufficient" as the state saw some 80 murders in just four days.

Local media broadcast video of muggings, carjackings, looting and other violence as the cities, including state capital Vitoria, remained bereft of law enforcement. Espirito Santo has seen about 200 robberies and about 90 million reais ($29 million, 27 million euros) in damages to local businesses, the local police union said as the federal government remained mum on crime figures.

"We are taking steps to increase the level of the National Force, which is police, and of the armed forces so that we can have security," Governor Colnago told the press. He said the condition on the streets had deteriorated so badly that many were afraid to leave their homes.

The Military Police, as the forces patrolling Brazil's city streets are known, are demanding better working conditions and higher pay as the country's budget crisis has begun to affect all sectors of society. Although they are barred by law from going on strike, relatives and sympathizers have blocked police stations and the officers are not trying to get out.

A court declared the strike illegal and the state police chief was removed from office, but it has had little effect.

es/rc (AP, AFP)