Brazil: Army deploys to Rio’s Rocinha favela Sep. 22

Event

On Friday, September 22, the Brazilian Army deployed 950 soldiers to the Rocinha favela (slum), where they currently remain to conduct operations against combat drug traffickers and criminal gangs. The deployment followed a week of increasing violence in the favela, which led to the closing of schools, roads, and shops. 

According to local sources, a shooting was reported on September 23 at a security checkpoint in the neighboring area of Alto da Boa Vista. Two alleged criminals and one 13-year-old civilian were reportedly killed. Another fatal shooting took place in Tijuca, just north of Rocinha, where one alleged criminal was killed and two more were arrested.

Localized traffic disruptions and an increased security presence are to be anticipated in the abovementioned areas.

Context

The security operation targeted suspected drug traffickers and arms dealers in the favelas. A similar series of raids was carried out on August 5. In late July, Brazilian President Michel Temer authorized the deployment of 10,000 troops to Rio de Janeiro state to help combat a rising wave of gang violence. The recent deterioration of security conditions in Rio sheds light on the failure of the state's security polices, notably the ''pacification'' strategy, which involves the deployment of Police Pacification Units (Unidade de Polícia Pacificadora; UPP), to establish a presence in particularly crime-ridden areas of the city, notably favelas.

Advice

Due to the high crime threat in Rio - and Brazil more generally - individuals in all Brazilian cities should remain vigilant in public place and to avoid entering favelas (slums; often located in very close proximity to more affluent neighborhoods). Keep in mind that criminals are often armed; never offer resistance if assaulted.