Man arrested on suspicion of ordering CV saves against candidates in Ceará elections

A man was arrested this Friday (13), suspected of ordering threats from the Red Command — known as “salve” — against candidates in the 2026 elections in Quixelô, Ceará. The man was identified as Rafael Barbosa Lucena. He was captured in Morrinhos.

g1 learned from a Civil Police source that Rafael holds a leadership role at Comando Vermelho in Quixelô. He was arrested by the Police Station for the Repression of Organized Criminal Actions of the Southern Interior (Draco-Sul), in joint action with the Acaraú Police Station.

The teams carried out searches at a property linked to the one investigated in the municipality of Acaraú. Then, the police obtained information that Rafael was traveling from Sobral, in the North Region, to Acaraú in a truck.

The vehicle was located and approached in the municipality of Morrinhos, when Rafael was identified and arrested in compliance with the court order.

Quixelô had records of crimes within the 2026 electoral context. An investigation found that a group was suspected of carrying out extortion, threats, intimidation and violence against people linked to the campaign.

Among the episodes investigated are shooting a firearm at a political supporter's car, sending threatening messages, demanding money and removing campaign material.

The cases occurred during the month of September and are being investigated as part of a possible attempt to interfere by the criminal faction in the electoral campaign in the municipality, which is 304 kilometers from Fortaleza.

On September 3, a 33-year-old man was arrested during investigations into the faction's interference in the electoral campaign.

According to the Civil Police, he is being investigated for direct involvement in extortion against people linked to the political campaign in Quixelô.

One of the victims received a message with the threat: “Be careful not to get shot, you or your home”. According to investigations, the threats would be related to the fact that the resident asked for votes for a candidate in the municipality.

SSPDS reported that the man was arrested pursuant to a court order in connection with a homicide investigation. He was also investigated for trying to interfere in the electoral process.

According to the ministry, the suspect has a criminal record for threats, domestic violence and misdemeanors.

In September, the Civil Police carried out Operation Dismantle in Quixelô. According to the police, the objective was to dismantle a criminal group linked to a faction and drug trafficking.

According to the investigation, the suspects are being investigated for extortion and threats against residents and campaign coordinators, with the aim of obtaining financial advantage and interfering in the local electoral process.

The operation was authorized by the 2nd Custody Center of the District of Iguatu and had ten targets. Six temporary arrest warrants and four search and seizure warrants were served.

According to the police, the group's members allegedly carried out, throughout the month of September, a series of acts of intimidation against the population, "seeking to impose fear, obtain money through extortion and influence the electoral election."