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Drugs, Violence, Walls and a Request for Troops in Rio Slum, April 15, 2004

In the Rio shantytown of Rocinha, which overlooks a luxury tourist area, drug trafficking and increasing violence have resulted in numerous deaths and a request by Public Security Secretary Anthony Garotinho for troops to aid in the war against drugs. Constant conflicts have occured, the latest when "Lulu," a notorious trafficker was killed in a standoff with the police. Meanwhile, the violence and increased police presence has paralyzed local businesses, once patronized by tourists. Critics have argued that the only reason for such a reaction is the proximity to tourist areas, which recently prompted the suggestion to ring Rocinha and another slum with a 10 foot wall separating the slums from the tourist areas.


News Stories

"Polícia mata 'Lulu' e Rocinha teme invasão "
O Jornado do Brasil (Brazil) April 15, 2004
"Policia Mata Chefe do Trafico na Rocinha "
O Estado do Sao Paulo (Brazil) April 15, 2004
"Polícia do Rio reforça segurança na Rocinha para evitar protestos pela morte de traficante "
Estado de Minas (Brazil) April 15, 2004
"Rio asks for troops in drugs war "
BBC News (UK) April 14, 2004
"Campaigners decry Rio slum wall "
BBC News (UK) April 12, 2004

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April 15, 2004