Part 5/13:
A Love and Escalating Brutality
In 1930, Lampião’s life took a dramatic turn when he met Maria Bonita, a woman who would become his partner—arguably Brazil’s first female bandit. Together, they terrorized the region, robbing banks, engaging in shootouts, and building a mythos of rebellion.
However, as the years went on, Lampião's tactics grew more brutal. Public executions, mutilations, and torture became common, with Lampião personally overseeing many atrocities. By 1938, his popularity waned amid the brutality, and law enforcement, aided by informants, finally ambushed him.