Brazilian militia leader surrenders to authorities.

   In a significant turn of events, the notorious leader of a paramilitary group in Brazil, wanted for numerous crimes, voluntarily turned himself in to the police on Sunday. Known as Zinho, Luis Antonio da Silva Braga, the head of Rio de Janeiro state's largest paramilitary organization, had been evading capture since 2018 and was the subject of multiple arrest warrants. The Federal Police in southeast Rio took him into custody after he surrendered.

  The arrest of "Zinho," who has been labeled as the state's "public enemy Number 1," was hailed as a triumph in the battle against criminal groups by Justice Minister Flavio Dino. This development marks a significant step forward in curbing the influence and activities of these militias.

  Originally formed as self-defense units against drug gangs, the militia groups emerged around forty years ago, comprising former police officers, soldiers, firefighters, and prison guards. However, over time, their intentions took a dark turn as they began extorting money from businesses under the guise of "protection" and assumed control over essential services in Rio's impoverished favelas.

  In recent years, the militias have expanded their operations to include drug trafficking and money laundering. Shockingly, they now control more than half of Rio's territory, instilling fear and terror in the neighborhoods inhabited by over two million people. A comprehensive study conducted in 2020 by a consortium of universities, online watchdog platforms, and a government anti-crime hotline shed light on the extent of their dominance.

  The arrest of Zinho comes after a series of violent incidents involving the militias. In October, the killing of Zinho's nephew and lieutenant led to a retaliatory attack where militia members set fire to 35 buses and a train drivers' cabin in Rio. Additionally, the militias were implicated in the murders of three visiting doctors who were attending a conference in Rio. Tragically, one of the doctors was mistaken for the leader of a rival group, resulting in their untimely deaths.

  With the capture of Zinho, authorities hope to dismantle the power structures of these criminal organizations and restore peace and security to the affected communities. This arrest serves as a reminder that no one is above the law, and the fight against criminal groups continues unabated.