Histórias de crime e violência na fronteira oeste: redes ilegais do contrabando ao tráfico de cocaína (1950-1985)

Abstract

The present thesis aims to analyze the stories of crime and violence occurring along the border between Brazil and Bolivia, specifically in the cities of Corumbá (Brazil) and Puerto Quijarro/Puerto Suárez (Bolivia), through their illegal cocaine trafficking networks. The research originated from readings of O Cruzeiro magazine about the murder of councilman Edu Rocha, who was brutally killed by machine gun fire in 1959. It also seeks to examine the emblematic jury trial held in the city of Corumbá, where the defendant was acquitted despite the police investigation being filled with material and testimonial evidence that would have convicted the public servant Carivaldo Salles. Furthermore, the research intends to highlight the corruption of public agents, the willful ignorance of National Information Service (SNI) agents during the Military Dictatorship, the expansion of clandestine air routes, and the outsourcing of guilt. To this end, copies of the legal proceedings regarding Edu Rocha's case, criminal records from both the Corumbá Forum and the Mato Grosso do Sul Court of Justice (TJMS) Library, SNI reports made available by the Superior Military Court (STM), issues of O Cruzeiro magazine that covered the councilman's murder, clippings from O Globo newspaper, and decree-laws were analyzed to support the understanding of the topic under examination.