Drug routes key to understanding rising violence in Brazil

Brazil has historically done a poor job monitoring violence rates. To date, the federal government has little idea of exactly how many murders happen in the country – as it still doesn’t have a consolidated database to monitor violence rates. The best indicator is a study published annually by the Brazilian Forum of Public Security (FBSP), which compiles and analyzes reports from police departments of all states. And it doesn’t paint a favorable picture of the country: Brazil has actually beaten its own record for homicides, registering 63,880 last year.

This is the equivalent of seven people murdered in Brazil every hour.

The previous record was established one year prior, 61,619 killings. Data shows that the rates went up in states...