[Brazil] Battles: Armed clash

Supply-chain Risk Briefing

1. Summary

On March 20, 2025, a gunfight broke out between police and BDM organization members during a nationwide drug enforcement operation in the Abrantes area of Camaçari, Bahia State, Brazil. During this operation, a deputy-level executive of the local BDM organization was killed and 16 people were arrested in a large-scale suppression operation. Local security concerns have heightened due to organized crime crackdowns near Bahia State's industrial zone.

2. Supply-chain impact

• Camaçari Industrial Complex operational risk: Camaçari is Brazil's major petrochemical hub where large chemical companies like Braskem are concentrated, with potential logistics and personnel movement restrictions due to security instability
• Bahia State port logistics impact: Concerns over container and bulk cargo transport delays due to deteriorating security on overland routes to Salvador port
• Regional labor supply disruption: Increased instability in the local labor market due to large-scale enforcement operations and organized crime activities
• Rising transport security costs: Factor for increased logistics costs due to need for enhanced security when transporting chemical products and industrial materials

3. Watch points

• Potential retaliatory attacks: Possibility of revenge attempts within the organization or escalating conflicts with competing organizations following the death of a high-ranking BDM executive
• Changes in Camaçari industrial complex utilization rates: Need to assess actual impact through production disruptions or employee attendance changes at major chemical companies