ADVERTISING

Latest Photo Galleries

Signs of Tension Signs of Tension

Published on 04/11/2016

Rio: a City in Metamorphosis Rio: a City in Metamorphosis

Published on 11/19/2015

Brazilian Markets

17h00

Bovespa

+0,49% 128.323

16h43

Gold

0,00% 117

17h00

Dollar

+0,68% 5,0140

16h30

Euro

+0,49% 2,65250

ADVERTISING

Fear and Drug Trafficking Endure in Rio de Janeiro Slum Used as Test by Federal Intervention

03/19/2018 - 10h36

Advertising

LUIZA FRANCO
LUCAS VETTORAZZO
FROM RIO DE JANEIRO

A soldier of the Brazilian Armed Forces wearing a helmet, a balaclava covering his face, sunglasses over the opening of his ski mask and holding an assault rifle was patrolling a corner in Vila Kennedy slum, in the west zone of Rio de Janeiro, an area chosen as a test for the federal intervention in the city's public security. Behind him, the graffiti on the wall of a house read "Gaza Strip" and "CV," the acronym of the criminal gang that dominates the area: Comando Vermelho.

The goal of the federal intervention there is to remove barricades set up by drug traffickers and guarantee that the slum will be supplied with public and private services. However, those who enter and stay there after the troops leave can see that drug traffickers have not retreated completely.

After several operations and the beginning of intensive patrolling, the Armed Forces considered the slum stabilized, a jargon that means there are no points of armed resistance against the presence of the soldiers.

In fact, there are no records of the troops engaging in gunfight. The fact that the press can walk around without being stopped by drug traffickers is a sign the criminals have retreated.

However, there are limits. On Wednesday, Folha reporters were instructed by a soldier not to go beyond a certain point on one of the main streets in the slum. At the beginning of the operation, the troops removed the barricades set up by the drug dealers, and later the criminals would put them back.

José Lucena/Futura Press/Folhapress
The goal of the federal intervention there is to remove barricades set up by drug traffickers and guarantee that the slum will be supplied with public and private services
The goal of the federal intervention there is to remove barricades set up by drug traffickers and guarantee that the slum will be supplied with public and private services

On Wednesday, March 15, there were barricades again; however, the Armed Forces say the barricades had not been put back. It was just that the soldiers had not moved so deep into the slum in their patrolling.

The Folha news report team also saw what seemed to be a small drug sales point working in a part of the slum where there were no soldiers. The drug traffickers were not carrying guns, as they usually do, but were still active.

Translated by THOMAS MUELLO

Read the article in the original language

You have been successfully subscribed. Thanks!

Close

Are you interested in news from Brazil?

Subscribe to our English language newsletter, delivered to your inbox every working day, and keep up-to-date with the most important news from Brazil.

Cancel