April 27, 2014 -- Updated 0450 GMT (1250 HKT)
Some 2,500 army troops and marines have moved in to reinforce police in
an operation aimed at securing a notorious shantytown ahead of the World
Cup. FULL STORY
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Brazilian army occupies Rio shantytown ahead of World Cup
April 24, 2014 -- Updated 1544 GMT (2344 HKT)
A Brazilian military police
officer keeps watch after entering the Complexo da Mare, one of the
largest slums, or favelas, in Rio de Janeiro, on March 30.
HIDE CAPTION
Rio de Janeiro's Complexo da Mare
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Brazil army tackles drug gangs in sprawling slum
- Complexo de Mare, home to 130,000 people, is also home to drug rings
- General in charge says Rio de Janeiro will be prepared for the World Cup
- Then he is whisked away by guards who don't let him stay in hostile territory for long
Residents walk by, barely
looking at the troops sent in to occupy the Complexo da Mare as an
emergency response to escalating violence in the city's notorious
favelas.
Some 2,500 army troops
and marines have moved in to reinforce police in an operation aimed at
securing the slum, home to 130,000 people, ahead of the World Cup, which
runs from June 12 to July 13..
Seizing control from drug
gangs was deemed a priority because the shantytown lies just a few
kilometers from Rio's international airport.
"It's not a peaceful
operation because we have three different criminal gangs here and they
are rivals," Gen. Roberto Escoto told CNN.
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The Rio state government
requested the army occupation after a series of attacks against police
posts. The troops will remain until at least July 31, after the World
Cup ends, Escoto said.
"It's an emergency,"
Escoto said. "The state police so far don't have enough policeman and
enough equipment to operate in all the city."
It's also the latest
campaign in Rio's so-called "pacification" program launched in 2008.
Officials say that after neglecting security in the city's poorest
neighborhoods for decades, police have now seized control from drug
gangs in dozens of slums.
While soldiers have provided support during the initial campaign, they have been replaced by police posts in most operations.
But for the Complexo da Mare, officials decided more drastic measures were needed.
Unlike many of the
favelas that cling to the hills near Rio's picturesque beaches, the
Complexo da Mare is a sprawling, mostly flat shantytown that combines 15
different neighborhoods in the city's smoggy north zone.
Cement-block houses are
covered with colorful graffiti and loops of tangled wire hang overhead,
evidence of the do-it-yourself electricity that powers most homes.
Schoolchildren play
soccer on a synthetic-turf court while residents sit at plastic tables
set up in the street, drinking beer and listening to music blast over
speakers, seemingly oblivious to the heavily armed soldiers who march
by.
When asked, they refuse to talk about the military occupation.
Troops have set up
checkpoints at the entrances to the favela and patrol the streets on
foot and in armored personnel carriers. Soldiers with metal detectors
and trained dogs search for hidden caches of arms or drugs.
So far, they have registered more than a half dozen gun battles.
The resurgence in
violence in some of the favelas already pacified has raised alarms in a
city that will host many of the 600,000 international fans attending the
World Cup. Rio also will host the Olympic Games in 2016.
Tourists strolling along
Copacabana Beach at the other end of the city said they were taking
precautions, but not overly worried.
Peter, a Belgian
businessman in town for a conference, said he was given a brochure with a
list of security suggestions when he arrived. "I feel safe here, but I
know where not to go," he said.
Simon, a Danish exchange
student, agreed that a little knowledge goes a long way. "Use common
sense, grab a cab in the evening," he said. "Don't use public
transportation at night."
In the Complexo da Mare, Escoto said the military will have everything under control.
"I can assure you that Brazil has conducted a very well-planned operation to secure the 12 cities," he said.
"Rio de Janeiro will be
prepared for the World Cup," he added, before his aides whisked him off,
part of their policy never to let their top commander stay in one place
for long in hostile territory.
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