At least 18 municipalities in Rio Grande do Norte suffered criminal attacks against public property and buildings; suspicion is retaliation for drug trafficking.| Photo: Reproduction/social networks

The Ministry of Justice published this Friday (14) an ordinance extending the term of the National Force in Rio Grande do Norte for another 30 days. The decision to keep the special troops based in Natal responds to a request from the state governor, Fátima Bezerra (PT). With the extension, the action should remain until May 13th.

The presence of the National Force in the Potiguar state was requested, after a wave of criminal attacks in several cities. More than 100 suspects were arrested and prison security was also tightened. Security agents arrived at the site on March 14, and with the extension, the action should continue until May 13.

According to RN security authorities, the attacks were the result of retaliation by criminal drug trafficking organizations after police operations. The sticking point was the transfer of heads of a criminal group out of state.

According to the document signed by Minister Flávio Dino, the military will act in joint and coordinated actions with the public security agencies of the state, in the activities and services essential to the preservation of public order and the safety of people and preservation of property, on an episodic and planned basis. The FNSP will be headquartered in the city of Natal.

The number of military police officers to be made available will comply with the planning defined by the Directorate of the National Public Security Force of the National Public Security Secretariat. In March, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security deployed more than 800 soldiers to the state.