The 'Facções' of Fortaleza and 'Colectivos' of Caracas: Two Models of Criminal Governance

Abstract

This article compares the criminal governance carried out by the Guardiões do Estado facção (faction), in Fortaleza, Brazil, and the Alexis Vive and La Piedrita colectivos (collectives) in Caracas, Venezuela. Comparing their origins, their use of violence, their capacity to establish rules and impose punishments, their sources of income, the way they obtain legitimacy and their relations with the state, we conclude that these are two different models of criminal governance, which differ in the way they prioritise the goals of economic profit and political domination.