Peace returns to Rio following occupation of south zone favelas
Sunday 13th November 2011, and the carioca residents of Rio de Janeiro awoke to the news that the largest favela communities of Vidigal and Rocinha were back under local government after decades of lawlessness and rule by the dominant drug lords.
Many of these traffickers were caught as they tried to escape during the 36 hours notice period which was given, part of a meticulously planned operation which on the day of occupation involved tanks, armoured vehicles and 3000 troops and police. In the event gaining full control of this huge area of ramshackle buildings covering both sides of the 2 brothers mountains (Dois Irmãos) at the end of the chic beach area of Leblon took only 2 hours, during which not a single shot was fired.
The occupation of Rocinha and Vidigal right now is a strategic move by municipal authorities towards controlling violence and ensuring safety in the run up to the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics 2016. However there has also been mounting pressure on the part of local residents to add these favelas to those which have already received UPPs or police pacification units. There is still a great deal of work to be done but Sunday’s events were a huge step in the right direction for the safety of all local residents and for the image of Rio de Janeiro abroad.
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