Is kidnapping high in Brazil?

The 2007 documentary film Manda Bala (Send a Bullet) directed by Jason Kohn highlighted the problem of kidnapping in Brazil. I was totally unaware of the problem and planning to move to Brazil at the time—it was not at all an encouraging film to see. read more

Everyday people in Brazil should be more concerned with a different practice, the so-called sequestro relâmpago, or express kidnapping. In this case the victim is coerced to go to a bank and deliver money to the kidnapper. read more

Crime in Brazil involves an elevated incidence of violent and non-violent crimes. According to most sources, Brazil possesses high rates of violent crimes, such as murders and robberies; depending on the source (UNDP or World Health Organization), Brazil's homicide rate is 20-30 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants according to the UNODC, placing Brazil in the top 20 countries by intentional homicide rate. read more