{"id":80461,"date":"2025-02-26T12:56:32","date_gmt":"2025-02-26T15:56:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=80461"},"modified":"2025-09-13T14:10:59","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T17:10:59","slug":"grief-to-action-personified-in-cuca-who-lost-his-brother-to-rio-de-janeiros-infamous-police-brutality-profile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=80461","title":{"rendered":"‘Grief to Action’ Personified in ‘Cuca,’ Who Lost His Brother to Rio de Janeiro’s Infamous Police Brutality [PROFILE]"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Cuca,<\/a>
Cuca, a leader from the favela of Morro da Coroa, is part of the movement of relatives of victims of State violence and a human rights activist involved in movements across the city of Rio de Janeiro. Photo: Vin\u00edcius Ribeiro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Clique aqui para Portugu\u00eas<\/i><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n

This article is part of RioOnWatch\u2018s series on\u00a0Memories of Favela Power<\/a>, which documents and celebrates the history of Rio de Janeiro\u2019s favelas through narratives and reports from residents\u2019 collective memory, in their daily struggle to lead fulfilling lives.<\/em><\/p>\n

A case of police violence<\/a> in the 1990s, which took place in the favela of Morro da Coroa<\/a>, Catumbi<\/a>, in central Rio de Janeiro<\/a>, changed the life of Luciano Norberto dos Santos, better known as Cuca. He led the Morro da Coroa Residents’ Association, when, at the time, a 15-year-old youth was killed by the Rio de Janeiro Military Police (PMERJ<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\u201cDilamar’s case was the first to happen in Morro da Coroa, where I live. Her son was killed at just 15. At the time, I was director of the Residents\u2019 Association. The case gained widespread attention because the boy was a student, only 15 years old, and was shot in the forehead by a sergeant from the Military Police. The officer then framed him, planting drugs and a gun on his body\u2014the so-called \u2018criminal kit\u2019\u2014to make it look like the kid was a criminal. That really outraged us. We got organized and took up the fight!\u201d \u2014 Cuca<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What Cuca did not expect was that, years later, his own brother, Josenildo dos Santos, then 42, would also be shot dead by the same Military Police. On April 2, 2009, dos Santos left the auto shop where he worked as an auto body technician and headed to a bar in Morro da Coroa to buy cigarettes when he was shot in the back of the neck with rifle rounds during a police operation. Since then, Cuca has tirelessly sought justice for his brother.<\/p>\n

\"Victims<\/a>
Victims of State violence protest on September 25, 2024, demanding justice for William and Samuel from Chapad\u00e3o favela. Photo: Vin\u00edcius Ribeiro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In 2023, after a 14-year wait, the police officers who killed his brother were sentenced to 54 years in prison<\/a>. According to the Rio de Janeiro State Prosecutor\u2019s Office (MP-RJ<\/a>), the officers acted with “unnecessary violence, without any proof that they had been attacked during the raid.” The mobilization of the victims’ families was crucial in securing this outcome. Cuca, who lost his mother while waiting for justice, said:<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore my mother died, I promised her that we would not rest until this case was solved and the culprits were held accountable. She always told us to keep supporting the struggle of the mothers of victims of State violence because, just as happened to my brother, it happens to many others!\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Cuca<\/a>
Cuca with the Zumbi dos Palmares monument in the background. Photo: Vin\u00edcius Ribeiro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cuca: A Human Rights Defender<\/h3>\n

Cuca is a calm, serene, and humble man, with unparalleled strength and resilience. A human rights defender who, over the years, has engaged in various causes. It is common to find him on the streets supporting different movements\u2014whether standing with women, advocating for LGBTQIAPN+<\/a> rights, fighting against racism, or defending the right to housing. Cuca is always there.<\/p>\n

\"Cuca<\/a>
Cuca holding a banner calling for freedom for Palestine during a demonstration in downtown Rio de Janeiro. Photo: Vin\u00edcius Ribeiro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In 2018, a group of LGBTQIAPN+ activists organized to occupy the old Automobile Club building<\/a> in Lapa<\/a>, downtown Rio de Janeiro. The goal of the occupation was to persuade the city government to hand over the abandoned property to Casa Nem<\/a>, providing shelter and support for LGBTQIAPN+ people in vulnerable situations.<\/p>\n

Cuca arrived at the site with two architect friends who wanted to support the cause. The Municipal Guard<\/a> and Military Police then showed up, prompting him to stay and call for support from human rights defense lawyers. At that moment, independent journalists covering the occupation found themselves unable to leave the building. However, Cuca spotted a window and, with the help of a ladder, assisted them in getting out. He remained at the occupation for another two weeks, until its final day, helping with negotiations to ensure that no occupants faced violence.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey showed up with the official warrant, which was meant to kick everyone out, you know? They got there at 4am but didn\u2019t come in. They stayed outside the door until 6:30am. Then they started knocking. That\u2019s when I went and answered it.\u201d \u2014 Cuca<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Cuca was elected to the State Council for the Defense of Human Rights (CEDDH-RJ<\/a>) in 2019 and served two two-year terms. As a CEDDH-RJ council member, he worked on hundreds of human rights violation cases.<\/p>\n

\u201cCuca is one of the leading human rights advocates in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Despite being a victim of police violence [towards his family] himself, as a human rights council member, he defended human rights indiscriminately for everyone. In fact, I accompanied him to Military Police barracks to investigate allegations of human rights violations suffered by military personnel [within their own battalions]. Officers were forced to sleep on mattresses infested with bedbugs, in utterly degrading quarters, without toilets or proper changing rooms\u2014where female officers had to change in front of male officers\u2014clear violations of their basic human rights. Because of his relentless work, Cuca has become a key figure in human rights advocacy in the state of Rio de Janeiro.\u201d \u2014 Rodrigo Mondego (public interest attorney and former CEDDH-RJ president)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Uma publica\u00e7\u00e3o compartilhada por Rodrigo Mondego (@mondegorodrigo)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n