Brazil federal, state officials working on united effort to curb violence during protests

Brazil's Justice Minister Jose Eduardo Cardozo, center, speaks during a press conference in Brasilia, Brazil, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013. Cardozo announced the creation of a joint intelligence force with the states of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo to combat actions of vandalism during protests. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) (The Associated Press)

Brazil's Justice Minister Jose Eduardo Cardozo, center, speaks during a news conference flanked by Sao Paulo Fernando Grella, right, and Rio state Public Safety Director Jose Beltrame, left, in Brasilia, Brazil, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013. Cardozo announced the creation of a joint intelligence force with the states of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo to combat actions of vandalism during protests. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) (The Associated Press)

RIO DE JANEIRO – Brazilian security officials from federal and state levels say they're going to work together better to combat violent protesters.

National Justice Minister Jose Eduardo Cardozo met Thursday with top security officials from Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo states. Those have been the two hotbeds of continuing anti-government protests. Small demonstrations were seen in both Rio and Sao Paulo as Cardozo spoke.

He says federal and state governments will work to standardize policing tactics for demonstrations. He also says officials may suggest stiffer penalties for protesters who engage in violence or vandalism.

Officials hope to better control protests expected during next year's World Cup soccer tournament. Huge anti-government demonstrations overshadowed a warm-up tournament in June.

Protests have lessened in size since then, but young anarchists have stepped up violence.