Clashes in Rio continue; over 40 people have died in police operations

Police operations attempting to contain the wave of violence that has swept Rio de Janeiro since last Sunday (21st) continue this Friday, with police facing off against gang members.

After the escape of drug gang members, police occupies slum
Brazilian sociologist says Rio may have Pacifying Police Units, but lacks a security policy
Bope and armored tanks go into Vila Cruzeiro, Rio de Janeiro
Police operation in Vila Cruzeiro is on the list of hottest topics on Twitter

Ninety-eight vehicles have been torched since Sunday in different locations in the state of Rio. The police operations to contain violence have killed 43 people.

According to the security authorities, the series of attacks and arson attacks against cars and buses are drug gangs' retaliation against the establishment of UPPs (Pacifying Police Units).

Since the start of the attacks, phone calls to the police hotline (in which callers remain anonymous) have increased by 80 per cent, with 1,247 calls related to the acts of violence in Rio. The largest number of calls took place on Thursday, the day when violence reached the highest level.

VIOLENCE

On Friday morning a Civil Police chopper flying in the area between the Vila Cruzeiro shantytown and Complexo do Alemão, in Rio's North zone, was shot at. TV images from yesterday showed drug dealers fleeing the soldiers advancing toward Vila Cruzeiro and escaping toward Complexo do Alemão.

Two tons of drugs have been seized in Vila Cruzeiro since yesterday. Besides the drugs, police seized five rifles, two machineguns, one imitation machinegun, various grenades and homemade bombs, approximately 1,000 rounds of ammunition of different calibers, 20 closed boxes with 200 rounds of ammunition each, one bullet-proof vest and medications.

About 60 trucks from the Army Parachutist Infantry Brigade arrived this afternoon at one of the entrances of Complexo do Alemão, to reinforce security. The military will be deployed in siege and isolation operations, according to Army communications.

"We have sent 800 men to Complexo do Alemão. The plan is not for them to enter Vila Cruzeiro, but if necessary we will send reinforcements," explained Colonel Ênio Zanan, from the Army communication dept.

The Union of Hotels, Bars and Restaurants of Rio said that consumers in bars and restaurants of the city's North zone, where most of the clashes between criminals and police officers have taken place, fell 60 per cent last night. Shopping malls and gastronomic centers in areas such as Tijuca, Vila Isabel and Méier closed earlier than usual.

Translation from the Portuguese by CLARA ALLAIN