O emprego dos Capacetes azuis no combate à violência direta: a tropa brasileira na MINUSTAH (2004-2010)

Abstract

The present work follows the research line of foreign policy and security. It situates the military component in the broad and complex dimension of a multidimensional peacekeeping mission of the United Nations (UN), paying special attention to issues surrounding the adoption of its military robust force concomitant with welfare activities for community led by the same troops not limited to the moments after natural disasters. The research overall objective was to analyze the participation of Brazilian troops in MINUSTAH that contributed to the secure and stable environment establishment in the capital of Haiti, on using the peacekeeping force in direct violence peak context of on the Haitian contemporary conflict. Regarding the time, research starts on the very beginning of the mission in 2004 and goes on up to the earthquake in that country in 2010, which changed completely the characteristics of the peacekeeping mission. The theoretical fundaments rest on Johan Galtung (1964, 1969, 1981\, 1985, 1990, 2007) violence’s studies; on the studies and experiences of experts like Paul Dixon (2007), Pereira (2006), Mary Kaldor (2007), Paul Smith (2011) and Ken Booth (2007); and in Brasilian and foreign – African, European and American – military documents. Bibliographical research, documental research, case study, analysis from questionnaires and interviews were performed with officials who participated on that peace mission in significance positions, were performed, in addition to the author's participation as observer along part of the UN mission. Data and informations were evaluated, quantitatively and qualitatively, and the inductive and deductive methods were adopted. Three facts were evident: (i) in the Haitian capital, the peacekeeping mission highest tension moments resembled the peace enforcement mission, due to the robust use of force; (ii) the robust use of force was approved by the community attended; and (iii) the social actions conducted by troop, concomitant to the high strength applied, potentiated the military success in substantially minimize direct violence in that country. Haiti data collected from social, political, economic and military areas, at research analysis period, allowed us to observe that the peacekeeping mission showed indicators tending to its success. Finally, it was found that the combination "robust use of force - welfare activities for community led by troops" is appropriate and favorable in other missions for the peace establishment, insofar as the intrastate conflict resembles the Haitian.