Brazil: Deadly clashes in Rio’s Rocinha favela March 24

Event

Clashes involving police broke out in Rio de Janeiro’s Rocinha favela (shantytown) on Saturday, March 24. At least seven people were killed and various others wounded. The clashes occurred after a police patrol - searching for a man accused of assassinating an official - came under attack by suspected drug traffickers. However, local residents have contested this official version.

Context

Rio de Janeiro has been suffering from a spike in violence since 2016. The murder rate in the city increased 8 percent in 2017 compared to 2016, and 26 percent compared to 2015. Almost 500 shootings occurred in January 2018 alone in the city.

This phenomenon is largely attributed to fighting between heavily armed security forces and criminal gangs in Rio's favelas. However, violent crime rates are also increasing in other areas of the city. On February 20, the Brazilian Senate approved a presidential decree granting the Brazilian Armed Forces special powers and control over law enforcement in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

Advice

Individuals in Rio are advised to avoid any areas where security operations are taking place, to avoid all favelas more generally due to chronically high rates of violent crime, and to adhere to any instructions issued by security forces.