Escaping Brazil's Deadliest Gangs
In the middle of the most violent regional capital in Brazil, a brutal gang war is being fought over control of the drug supply routes of the Northwestern Amazon region. Poverty and coercion force many young men into a life of crime where the only ways to escape are incarceration or death.
But amidst the carnage, there is a glimmer of hope - the “91” is a group of former gang lords turned pastors, who offer salvation to gang members who want to leave the criminal life. Their standing in the gang community, forged out of years of service and hard-fought respect, mean that only they can vouch for criminals looking to trade crime for the path of God.
By recording videos of these gangsters in repentance - that follow a tight script and are then shared with the higher ranks of the gangs for approval - they are saving hundreds of lives that Brazilian institutions overlook. This is the story of the “91”.
Directing and DOP: Mauricio Monteiro Filho and Avener Prado
Soundtrack: Gustavo Monteiro
Editing: Mauricio Monteiro Filho and Diego Arvate
Producers: Charlie Rosser and Matt Shea
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It is crazy to think that these people live on the same planet as us. How totally different their perspective on life is
What do you mean? You never killed someone to protect your drug dealing territory?
@@Reth_Hard I haven’t played that game for years.
Come to Brazil. Here the PvP is enabled
@@Reth_Hard yes yes i do it every day of the week👍(ironi)
I would say anyone who lives in the inner cities can relate to being desperate to make money however most including myself don't have the courage and are ready to accept the mental torture that comes with it being constantly in fear of your life police trying to arrest you family members being killed etc etc.
That’s nice to see a group of men come together to end the crime.
It is. Most people don't realize how much courage and effort it takes to start anything, whether it be to raise awareness, make a new product, or implement a law. The world is quite empty unless we make a change.
+1
2025 vice video- how team 91 became brazils most dangerous narco group.
That made me laugh out loud!! Cheers xx
Very funny. Three more years to build up the army of the Lord.
@@PaulHirsh in Italy those who turn on the mafia and judges have constant security protection and have a different passport and even have facial operations yet apparently joining team 91 allows you to get away scot free.. yeah something is definitely going on. If i was a narco boss i would definitely have them killed.
Oh yeah. So funny. Almost as comical as your grammar 🤣
That's... actually not that unlikely. Sadly.
Brazilian pastor : go into ghetto risking life to convert ex-gang member* American pastor : "that choir boy sure is sound amazing"
Not all Brazilian Pastors .....
@@Mindfulnesforu CADE O DÍZIMO
Happy to see them getting another change at life and even happier to see the Gang element respecting genuine conversion no longer persecuting the ex-gang members, even if it's financially motivated.
Hey it’s better than how anywhere else would deal with I agree I’m more for this
Does everybody wear flip flops down there?
@@MrJx4000 Yes
@@notpedrot fr?
@@marka7532 Yes, I'm brazilian, I don't live there anymore tho. Everybody wear flip flops even the rich, I'd say it's kinda part of our culture at this point
I remember watching a documentary dance with the devil, about the favelas and a Christian pastor trying to help. By end of the documentary a large portion of those interviewed were all murdered. Terrifying.
I searched for it and found it based on your comment. I'll check it out
@@floridadude8382 what’s it called my friend?
@@ForrestMcCloud Dancing with the Devil documentary
Murders are not a result of a lack of help from evangelical pastors, but a result of the damn war on drugs.
@@butterflying40 Who said it was lack of pastors ?
God Bless Team 91’s Work, they help make the world a safer place every day.
Men that found fraternity through God. Beautiful.
unlikely
Do you not understand that they are corrupt?! You all live in a bubble in your countries
They are religious bigots though. Also, these conversions are not made out of altruism, but just an ingenious way of expanding their faith.
@@carlosfernandes4417 Not ingenious this way of converting has been done for like 1500 years now
Those conversion videos are like kids screaming "sanctuary!" or "base" while playing tag.
if this is what it takes to help unravel this tangle of violence then i'm all for it
As long as they don’t at all force in spreading their imagination to those that don’t want
@@alejandrorobles1343 i mean they are evangelists, that's kinda their whole thing
@@cageybee7221 oh. Then ew. But as long as it works to take them off the streets and from risking their lives I guess
@@alejandrorobles1343 i'm an athiest, but i recognize brazil is a deeply catholic country and it's one of the few things even criminals respect and fear.
@@cageybee7221 ya. Same and same. I guess just saying that I don’t like those pushy type of theists tho. Like a part I liked in this video is when they went to some outside jail cells and one of the religious group dudes was asking an inmate if he wanted to accept god or whatever and the inmate was like na, not right now and, even if for the most part since he did rephrase his asking like two or three times, he respected that the inmate said no and moved on.
Is shocking to know that Brazil is this dangerous and it still ain’t the most violent in South America
Brazil is gigantic, these regions are on the edge of the country with borders like uruguay, colombia among others...
Just one thing. If you are not gang members or drug users, it's rare to be killed.
😢 Triste
When your local drug dealer can sell you both amazon cocaine and afghan heroin, that means that all criminals of the world are conected by international networks.
What country has more homicides than Brazil? Easy answer NONE. At one point early 1990s Sao Paulo was having about 15,000 violent deaths a year. That's half of the homicides that acure in Mexico as a country. I can give you some damn good examples on just how violent Brazil really is. If you think those US stats showing only Mexico a the top of the list are correct your delusional. Brazil does murder rate by state not per captia by city. Brazil has over a dozen cities with murder rates well above 100 per capita. Also mass graves aren't counted neither are police killings by milicanos (corrupt police). Ask yourself why the police in Rio de Janerio need to kill 2,000 people a year if the murder rate is only 30 per captia. That rate is the rate of the state. Not the actual rate of the cities that make up Rio de Janerio. Rio has many Burroughs similar to New York. For instance the murder rate in Duque Caxias/ Baixda Fluminense is above 135 per capita and the city has over 1 million inhabitants.
As a Brazilian of faith this is really inspiring! I hope to be able to bring the same solace to souls in the state of Bahia, and all over the country 🙏✨
Tamo junto mano, forças ❤
Tomara que não 🙏🏻
Christ is the judge 🔥😘
Amen❤
If you really want to leave this life of crime, make an effort to walk with your head held high.
Wonderful continued Blessings to all involved and to all who seek a better life!!
Just wanna say I enjoy learning about new places , but this was terrifying.
Amazing work Ben
This is *insane* man! I'm from Eastern Europe and I'm shocked these hubs of highly violent organized crime still exist! It feels like a throwback to documentaries of the 90's...
Money and extreme poverty = violence
Brazil has border with countries that produces cocaine !!! Drugs bring organized crime!!!
@@bluetripbandit3542 Why is there extreme poverty, bro? I know that extreme poverty *specifically,* has been massively alleviated worldwide - in the past 30 years. 😐
@@dyawr not enough to stop crime
Of course, easy to live under the comfort of Europe, that was build by WAR and GENOCIDE, the basis to this violence's in the whole Latni America started by the colonization and how our land was build up...
This is one of those times were religion is alright in my book, if it brings peace in a neighborhood, its alright.
Yes...
Its just a Lesser evil
Yup
Yeah they are already very respectfull of the church in Brazil. Mostly Catholics i think.most poor sth American places are very religious .the church thrives there. Same in Ireland,although they have a bit more money now. But dirt poor with big families and a lot of stress.in steps the church. At least with Catholics they take what you give.the American style seem to sell their Christian music etc and push the "give us our tithing " thing and before you know it the pastor has a giant house and a few expensive cars
You are under a misapprehension, there is nothing good about religious delusions. How can you make sure many of these gang members aren't conveniently slithering out of the crosshairs by utilizing a conveniently held superstitious doomsday cult? Why are people so stupid?
Quite nice to see a twist of positivity
Respect 🙋🏻♂️ Team 91. Keep up ur good team work. God bless u all 🙏. From Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
This felt like an episode of the anime, Black Lagoon.
When you pick up a good anime recommendation on a Brazil narco Christian conversion comment stream
@@jaimecontreras7865 you are in for a ride. Brace yourself because that anime has some disturbing moments when it looks deep into crime, especially the topic of child trafficking/pornography. Its one of my all time favorite anime tho You'll notice some similarities between some characters and some guys shown on this video. The last guy on the video reminded me of a character called "Bloodhound of Florencia"
Amazing story so Inspiring, I am truly impressed. Many blessings to all
🥴😂
Including the lesbians, homosexuals and killers, who are apparently all in the same loving Christian community. I'd sooner take Satan.
Inspiring ? How ?
@@jackthegod9988 I know they do it, because their live is on the line, but it will be the only change they have to come out of a gang, and I know they have done terrible things but they are not all bad, pressure and no or low income or whatever reason doesn't help and if there are only 2 out of the 20 that do change their lives, is better than not to have tried at all. Plus they can pay something back to society and do some good instead of bad. It's a start and at least they try, but we are all entitled to our own opinion
God save these people and give them a new start In life
leave one gang to join another.
Amen
Yet their god didn't save the innocent civilians caught in the crossfire during the gangs' turf wars. Get a grip will you? Religious people are so gullible, that they'll believe anything and make up anything.
I bet God cares so much.
Lol
I pray that the good Lord bless that mission Team 91 and their works. May they truly serve the Lord's will by bringing the gospel to the hearts of those who are lost in sin and may Jesus be glorified in them, and through them.🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
yo the music is SICK! nice background beat.
it's crazy to think i live in this country and looking through comments people are REALLY shocked by this reality and for me it's just a normal day/occurence here insane how your perception changes based on the place you live
Same but I'm in the US
Tell everyone how corrupt team 91 is then!! They are bad
Nós brasileiros normalizamos a barbárie, pra podermos lidar com nosso país e realidade! Uma pena!
É mano, mt triste... 😢
same
Be safe my people,much love and be blessed,wish ya'll the best
lmao🤣
@@ARationalObserver What's so funny?
How tf would they be safe ? Just because you wish it ? Or you’re a troll
@@jackthegod9988 really?
Great story, Vice. 👌
wow, may that group turn many lifes around... just wow
I guarantee that many of these guys, at such young age, have seen and done things that most of us can't even wrap our minds around, even in our worst nightmares.
The Mexican CJNG cartel has its new recruits eating human flesh and sleeping next to dead bodies
life choices! despite being born in poverty and having few opportunities to study decently, there is a lack of work due to the lack of professional qualifications
i love stories like this!
Brazil is gigantic, these regions are on the edge of the country with borders like uruguay, colombia among others...
Thats bullshit. Theres crime everywhere. Rio and São Paulo for exemplr
@@FrantzVissarionovitch Sao Paulo are below 10 per 100k and Rio de Janeiro below 20 per 100k
As Dominic Toretto said in Fast n Furious: This is Brazil!
no this is acre The Bolívia of Brazil(Bolívia Its a great contry The Bolívia culture os Very presente in acre)
God bless Team 91 for bringing the Good News of King Jesus Christ to Brazil! Much love from A brother in Christ in USA
Muito bom de ver e eu rezo para que todos eles cresçam na fé 🙏🏾
Eu sinto muito orgulho de fazer parte dessa Equipe 91. aqui No Acre já são 08 anos resgatando almas para Jesus.
I wonder if these men, who were on the brink of death due to hits on their heads, actually stay with the church and let God enter their life and don't go back to their life of crime. And how often do the gang bosses know this is all BS and get retaliation against them knowing they haven't changed. We need a part two of this, a "where are they now" segment.
They to retaliate if they find out that they’re going to their old ways. They check up on these people to make sure
There is no way you can decide to kill someone from a rival gang then decide to give your life to god, and the rival gang is not gonna get revenge??!
In Brazil, it’s every day a battle for survival, but mostly of the traficantes they respect the church
@@tiagomori2534 drug dealer is "traficante" in Portuguese for those who don't know 👍
It seems like there are different levels to their protection. Like that one kid they were like yeah… you need to move bro…
Religion can be a powerful thing.
@@cordlessrb It's pretty similar in English tbh... traffickers.
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless the people in Brazil 🇧🇷 with a mighty move of God that spreads through all of South America ✝️
Once I was playing in the streets by night and when I looked back the police had the rifles out of the car waiting for me to get out of the middle of the street My neighborhood was really dangerous before and still dangerous just less dangerous than a few years ago, we need to know how to live there otherwise you'll be screwed up
Have they ever dealt with someone who converted only to return to their former criminal life? How do the gangs respond?
The Catholic community's are run like gangs and much bigger. Gang members rarely try to retaliate. The consequences will target your whole family
Well I think you know what happens 😵😵 silly question
The gangs kill them. The gangs will occasionally check on these people to ensure they’re not reverting back to old ways
lindo trabalho equipe 91
Ive watched alot of documentaries on the cancer which is crime & corruption in Latin America. This particular one brought me to tears. Look how young everybody is those prisons. On those streets. Dios porfavor no te olvidez de America Latina
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12
This is refreshing it just goes to show even the wicked can find peace in the lord's power and mercy
Sounds like a quote from "The Lord of The Rings"
@@user-gi6mq2qf5w try again, its from the Lord of Creation. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
@@icxcnika555 Are you roleplaying as some kind of fantasy elf? It's kinda weird to be honest
Like their president? Oil & Lumber greed? I agree with these words of Truth.
Out of one gang and into another.
Faço parte dessa equipe ,que Deus continue nos abençoando
If you're scared go to church has always been a saying for a reason.
Gucci if you scared goto church holla redrock
To find HOPE in such a place, brings joy. Its true a rose 🌹 can bloom amidst thorns
Man, those "You're going to Brazil" memes ain't joking lol.
Bro i was born here, please help me, get me out here
@@tiagomori2534 I think u'r prob trolling.
I wish human beings could coexist. 😪 God bless team 91
What funds team 91? The giving during Sundays service or donations?
Gang members using team 91 like kids use base when they play tag.. interesting
Shouldn't you be out lurking for bad boy thugs to spread your legs for in the hope of changing them?? You have single motherhood written all over you 🤭
Funny how people suddenly get religious when they NEED it
ok but that was incredible
i moved to america when i was 8 even that young i knew and seen a stuff but thank god im here life aint in america far from perfect but better then most just be glad u still here
Congratulations! 🙏 Try to make the best of it, sir. What's going on in some places is insane...
God bless them. A lot of people in US trash Christianity but the people who actually practice it the way god attended change lives and make the world a better place.
PSALM 118:26 "Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD."
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12
So much violence, drug and gang wars in South America. I pray and hope that people would come to the light and to be set free from all the evil that life is not about killing and hate but to have life and have it more abundantly in the Lord. There's hope for everyone
A Holy Spirit revival in Brazil! Praise The Lord!
I respect these guys so much and it just shows you the power of Christ..God Bless all who are involved in this video ...🙏🏻
Beautiful
GOD BLESS THEM AND YOU!!! 🙋♂️✝️❤🙏
I'm not a religious person, but bless anyone who's trying for a better life, turning away from crime, may they find a way through God if they can
One love 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
@@JohnWick-yv6bu shut up troll!
@@JohnWick-yv6bu Why not?
Always watching from Georgetown Guyana south America 🇬🇾🇬🇾
Damn that's intense
Most of South America is intense mate 💯
@@Crimetvuk For real..
From one deadly gang to a cult that later become the biggest gang of all
God bless all of you 🙂
Brilliant
This video is very interesting
Whatever floats your boat on the path to redemption & relative normality use it, the world needs cures for mans ills whatever guise they may be in.
Deus vai mudar a história da minha cidade (Rio Branco, Acre)🇧🇷
♥️🕊️
Amém!
life choices! despite being born in poverty and having few opportunities to study decently, there is a lack of work due to the lack of professional qualifications
Não vai.
This is a good moved it should happens all over the south America, it will be difficult to stopped or control the degree trade because many government are involved in drug dealing
If you want to stop corruption and vice, you don't turn to the church..
As long as humans exist so will gangs. The cycle of retaliation violence and the threat of prison isn’t enough to deter those who want to have power. But power and money are not enough to make you happy once you’ve sacrificed your soul to the gang.
At least they fear God. Unlike some other countries.
Imagine if this "team" decided tomorrow that they are just done with God and want back on the gang activity, they would be unstoppable..
they wouldn't do that lol
@@loganshelton195 How do you know?
@@johndough007 After all, religion is the biggest con of all time. Corruption and sectarianism are inherent..and man's stupidity is limitless.
What's really sad all of these people only want out because somebody want them. That's like playing tag but when I get tagged I quit
Brazil needs to use their army for this, to fight for their people and freedom of their nation. Their own families suffer because of this.
No - more education/ skills training & God
the brutality people in these countries experience on a daily basis is beyond belief for many of us. i couldnt imagine how scary it must be
In Brazil, getting dark, you have to run to your house, because you probably will getting killed
By gang or police will beat you up
You might be closer to it than you think.
Yes... God bless them.
@@tiagomori2534 bruh, para de falar bosta! In the list of most violant cities in the world 3 U.S ones come first before any Brazilian one, you just have to step in the wrong place to see. Living in one of the most safe capitals i can assure you can for sure free your mind about violence, go out at night till the sunset. Violence in Brazil is attached to misery, as any other place in the world, living in a good neighbourhood on São Paulo is no more dangerous than a good one in N.Y.
God is good all the time.
Apart from when he kills babies on planes and in natural disasters
AND ALL THE TIME HE IS GOOD
God's true warriors! Bravo!
god bless them!!!❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
Revival in Brazil!!!
as a brazilian being able to fully understand the situation, the tone in their voices etc I could not make it to the end of the video, it's too cringy. I feel sad they have no way out, religion is still a prison and they have to fake their belief for the sake of surviving or not having a brutal painful death.
voce tem um ponto mas eles terem a religiao pra sobreviver é uma coisa boa, mesmo voce considerando uma prisao ela ta salvando os caras e tirando da rua e fazendo eles pararem de perpetuar a maldade
@Danilo pretty much. It is so sad
like someone said in the comment 'This is one of those times were religion is alright in my book, if it brings peace in a neighborhood, its alright.'
I wanna say the same
God is good and respect to yall turning yall lives around for good
Everyone a gangster till they visit a place like this
MUCH LOVE to my AFRO Brazilians
Oh please. If it wasn't for european settlers brazil would be just like africa.
APTTMHYAH!
We dont care about colour here, we are brazilians, nothing else. God bless you.
@@pedrosilva-lf2tn Good mindset👍
If you ever find yourself thinking why you are we’re you are, and your feelings down. Remember that people have to live in such terrible conditions, and that some may never walk out of prison alive.
You don't need to live miserably because someone else does.
@@temporarilyvanishing796 Exactly, be reassured in the fact that you are living better then the majority of the planet.
@@exploringtheplanetsn That is if you're living in good conditions. If you're living poorly and under bad conditions, but there are people who have it worse than you, doesn't mean you need to be thankful.
Omg a vice video in 4k, please film more in 4k
Vice telling real stories
Praise be to Lord Jesus Christ our only saviour. We pray all the members of 91, their extended family members as well to all ex gang member to be saved, blessed and protected by Lord Jesus Christ Our Messiah. We pray for them. Nice and informative documentary by Vice news. May all the Vice News crew will be protected by Lord Jesus Christ
Damn..who the hell brainwashed you to believe such false prophesies? “Jesus” won’t save or protect those people nor anyone in this world. Gandalf is more credible and holier than thou.
@@CrybabyPierre who is gandalf? Is he popeye?
@@CrybabyPierre lmao truthful
@@CrybabyPierre people like you are the problem in today’s world. we all can coexist with our own cultural and spiritual beliefs respectfully, as we should. you think your god is any better or something? you think you’re doing better then followers of other religions? open up your mind fool. no one knows who the hell you’re talking about anyways.
You religious folk are too gullible and indoctrinated to function. Sad..
From killing another to lying for jesus. Is a good step.
What does the “91” mean?
I wouldn't look at this as incredibly positive. The leaders only let this happen because there are 4 more kids that will take their place
I can understand “gang leaders” pardoning the petty stuff, but if you snitch or steal do you really think the gangs would just leave them alone? Lie in the grave you dig for yourself…
tbh, I doubt it.
I feel like that different
One gang to a bigger one.
Very interesting.
This is a trip
Praise Jesus! Hallelujah!
Who? Never heard of her.
@@CrybabyPierre What you just said is one of the sins that Jesus died on the cross for. Come to know Jesus as your LORD and Savior and repent of your sins.
@@FloridaExplorer777 No thanks, I don’t believe in fantasies nor would I support a cult that implements and is known for absurd amount of pedophiles, sexual abusers and mass murders. You should reevaluate your life and believe in reality. 😂😂😂😂
Praise Zeus! Hallelujah!
God Bless the young men who after killing, dismembering, beheading countless human beings, realised it's not right. Prayers for these young souls. Hope they will all go to heaven in the end. Amen