The president of the Senate, Renan Calheiros (PMDB-AL), defended on Tuesday (13) “a strong attitude, today, now” to combat violence. He said crimes have reached an “intolerable level” and repudiated the crime wave that has led to the kidnapping of Alagoas Magistrates Association president, judge Paulo Zacarias da Silva.

- We cannot let people from North to South be subject to fear and terror. Fighting organized crime demands joint efforts. States’ governors and the federal government must work together in order to combat it. States cannot avoid taking strong measures against crime agents - he said.    

Renan stressed violence victims demand answers, decisions and action, and that angry speeches are not enough. He said fighting crime requires heavier penalties, a faster Judiciary, more efficient prison system and more education and work opportunities for poor young people.