Brazil: Anti-drug operations in Rio de Janeiro June 7-8 /update 4

Event

The Brazilian military launched anti-drug operations in the Jacarepaguá area of Rio de Janeiro on Thursday, June 7. Over 5000 soldiers were deployed into six favelas (slums). At least one person was killed during the operations, which continued into Friday, and ten others were arrested. According to military officials, it is unclear how long the soldiers will remain in the area. Additional fighting is likely in the coming days.

Context

According to media reports, this is one of the largest operations conducted by the military since President Michel Temer ordered the army to take over command of security forces in the state of Rio de Janeiro. In mid-May, military commanders announced that operations were entering a new phase that will focus on more police officers being deployed in the city. Military officials said that the first phase of the intervention had been focused on restoring the operational capacity of security forces and reducing crime rates. Federal forces will reportedly remain in control until the end of 2018.

Crime rates in Rio de Janeiro state have reached an all-time high as of 2018, according to data released by the Instituto de Segurança Pública (ISP) in April. Rio de Janeiro has been suffering from rising violence since 2016. This phenomenon is largely attributed to fighting between heavily armed security forces and criminal gangs in Rio's favelas.

Advice

Due to high crime rates in Rio de Janeiro - and throughout Brazil more generally - individuals should remain vigilant at all times, avoid all favelas, report any suspicious behavior to relevant authorities, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities. Conceal conspicuous signs of wealth to avoid attracting the attention of would-be thieves.