Lula militarizes Brazil's main ports, airports amid rising crime

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during a breakfast and press conference with foreign correspondents, at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil October 27, 2023. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino

BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday temporarily militarized security at some of the country's most important ports and airports, as he seeks to tame rising crime after several deadly incidents in Rio de Janeiro state.

Lula said soldiers will work with federal police officers to manage security operations at Latin America's largest port and airport: the port of Santos, in Sao Paulo, and its main airport Guarulhos. Soldiers will also be deployed to the port of Itaguai in Rio de Janeiro state and Rio's Galeao airport.