O “bandido social” paco e sua atuação em região de Colonização Italiana do RS (1900-1931)

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the actions of Francisco Sanches, better known as "Paco," in a Region of Italian Colonization (RCI) in the territory of Rio Grande do Sul during the period known as the "República Velha." We will present the dynamics and developments of Paco's trajectory in an area occupied by Italian immigrants and the political connections in which this character was involved. To achieve this, we will apply Eric Hobsbawm's concept of "social bandit" and draw on bibliographic sources addressing Italian immigration and banditry in Brazil, as well as newspaper articles that sought to reconstruct the different images attributed to the subject. Our methodology draws inspiration from micro-history to recover parts of Paco's trajectory, using his name as a guide to navigate the various contexts in which the character was involved. In conclusion, we believe that Paco's trajectory was closely linked to the power structure of the Rio Grande do Sul Republican Party during the República Velha, using political maneuvering to gain benefits and, simultaneously, being used by the powerful to maintain the PRR in control of the state.