Brazil: Violence still on the rise in Rio de Janiero state

Event

New reports indicate that violence continues to rise in Rio de Janiero state. According to government statistics, 4974 people were killed in the state in the first nine months of 2017, an 11 percent increase from the same period in 2016. In particular, the number of violent incidents has increased in and around the favelas (slums) of Rio de Janiero city. As of Saturday, November 18, 119 members of security forces had been killed in attacks by armed gang members. It is estimated that in the first eight months of 2017, Rio lost around USD 200 million in tourism revenue due to the rising violence.

Context

This phenomenon is largely attributed to fighting between heavily armed security forces and criminal gangs in Rio’s favelas, ​which occurs on a nearly daily basis. In late July, Brazilian President Michel Temer authorized the deployment of 10,000 troops to Rio de Janeiro state to help combat the spike in gang-related 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 be effective in crime-ridden areas of the city.

Advice

Due to the high crime threat in Rio - and throughout Brazil, more generally - individuals should remain vigilant in public places and avoid entering favelas altogether, often located in close proximity to middle- and upper-class neighborhoods. Keep in mind that criminals are often armed; never offer resistance if assaulted.