Earlier this November, a combined force of 3000 police officers and soldiers moved into Rocinha, one of the largest slums in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The operation, called "a pacification process" by the authorities, was the latest battle in the campaign being waged by the Brazilian government to gain control over the lawless slums run by drug-trafficking gangs that are all over Rio in advance of the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics that are set to be held in the city. This newest raid, however, is very different from previous ones, such as the operation last November to clear another slum, the Complexo de Alemão, where authorities clashed with violent, armed drug gangs for over a week, leaving 41 dead and over 100 cars and buses burning in the streets. By contrast the raid on Rocinha went very peacefully, partly because of the much larger force used (3000 soldiers vs. just 800), but also partly because the arrest the day before the operation of Antônio Bonfim Lopes, the drug lord in command of Rocinha, left the traffickers there without a leader. Also notably absent this time were the accusations of abuse and corruption that had been so prevalent after Alemão. Residents claimed the government forces used excessive force and extorted money from them, and charges of corruption were given special weight after it was discovered that while 34 tons of marijuana, 692 ponds of cocaine, and over 400 firearms were confiscated, government forces reported that they had found only $68,000 in cash and the vast majority of the traffickers had somehow escaped arrest. Rocinha has received a much more positive response and is being touted by the government as a major success in the effort to establish control over Rio.
I personally think these kind of operations are the right thing for Brazil to do, not only because no one wants to see the World Cup or Olympics disrupted by gang violence, but also because it is a means for the government to raise the standard of living of its people. Brazil's economy is growing and its population is becoming wealthier but for the country to move from the ranks of the developing nations to those of the developed it needs to break the power of the drug lords and establish government control and the rule of law over the entire country, the marks of a first world nation.
In conclusion, Brazil still faces slum difficulties on its path to becoming a more stable and secure country.
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10 comments:
I agree with Gabe; The Brazilian government is right to take action against drug gangs within the country, especially when the World Cup/Summer Olympics (which is certain to attract tourists from around the world) are coming up in a few years. Using government force to combat slum drug-lords is a good step towards reducing the trademarks of an underdeveloped country, as Gabe mentioned, in addition to maintaining the safety of the civilians. However, I also believe this type of active gang-control should be implemented regardless of tourist events. After all, isn't one of the major responsibilities of a government ensuring the protection of its people? In my opinion, the Brazilian government, and governments in general, should act to combat drug violence/drug trafficking simply because protecting the people is an integral aspect of governmental duties.
I agree with Keaton and Gabe. Not only will it help the country become safer, but the country will also be rewarded for the betterment with the ability to host the World Cup. In addition, like Keaton said it's the government's job to protect the people, and overall fundamental right. However, I want to add that although taking action against drug gangs within the country is an important aspect in getting ready for the world cup, there are also more factors that need to be dealt with. The government has far overlooked the bigger components in preparation for such a big event. Brazil is currently behind schedule in preparing for the World Cup being that it needs to get 12 stadiums up to par in 12 cities (each stadium taking about 40 months), not to mention prep all the airports, local transport and other necessities working when 600,000 visitors come to watch the cup. $2.2 billion was granted to construct the World Cup Stadiums, but unfortunately only .5% has actually been utilized, since the stadium construction hasn't even been approved by the bank--the bank fears that the stadiums as planned aren't "financially sustainable" when the World Cup comes to an end. But now looking at all the factors, I think Gabe's factor is the most significant, based on the fact that the "operations" not only effect the coming world cup, but will be advantageous for the people long after the world cup ends, with the possibilities of "stability and security."
As Keaton wisely pointed out, the article begs the question, why weren’t these operations in effect much sooner? I think the answer is relatively simple, in that it is much cheaper, in terms of monetary cost and lives lost, to simply let the drug-trade flourish than to run dangerous operations to try to stamp it out. As Gabe mentioned, there have been reports of brazen corruption within the Brazilian government, officials whose financial dealings are probably intimately tied with these druglords, and this is most likely not a fact that the Brazilian government wants internationally known as it comes to host the upcoming World Cup and Olympics. Therefore, it was a strong political maneuver on their part to act now and confront the rampant illegal drug trade within their own country, and then proceed to pat themselves on the back, garnering widespread media attention for their “success”. I think it’s analogous to a college student writing a huge report at 5 am the night before it is due, and then congratulating himself on the great work done, ignoring the fact that the situation could have been entirely avoided if he had simply started work earlier. Not to say that Brazil is alone in this, I procrastinate much more than I would like to admit. Still though, it is an excellent step forward for the country, and will probably translate into a marked improvement for the lives of its citizens.
I agree with Keaton, that the Brazilian government taking more initiative, now that the World Cup and Olympics are coming up, to reduce crime and drug trafficking is a very good thing. However, as Alex mentioned, it's a little off-putting that they are only began to take drastic action now that they're going to be the stage to the two huge international sporting events. Gabe pointed out that corruption is the main reason behind this security delay. I think that there's a lot more to it that just corruption. I mean after all, there's corruption in pretty much everything. But overall, I'm just glad they're doing something to control the crime.
Moreover, I think it's pretty great that the recent international mega sporting events have all been granted to developing countries (China, South Africa, Brazil, and Russia - though the status of Russia is debatable). The boosts in the Chinese and South African economy is great and the projected increases in Brazil's GDP, employment and tourism is going to be a major driving force for boosting their economy for at least the next ten years.
I agree with all of the above. I think it's awesome that the big World Cup event coming up is motivating the Brazilian government to take more action. I predict that as the World Cup nears that perhaps the country will soon settle and become unified for this momentous event.
I feel like the only reason the Brazilian government is attempting to make the city safer now is just because of the World Cup. As Keaton said, governments shouldn't just be helping just because tourist are coming. They should want their citizens to feel safe in the country. I do applaud Brazil for taking the first steps, but I also feel like they should have done more beforehand. It might have made their country seem less undeveloped as well as further advancing their economy.
I agree with Jennifer, that the Brazilian government is only taking action to the drug gangs is because of the world cup. They know a lot tourist are going to be coming to their country and they see it help out their economy and if they are able to stop the drug gangs they will be able to get a lot more people to come because they will say its a really safe place to travel to
I absolutely agree with Gabe that the Brazilian government should be involved in cleaning out the slums. The Brazilian government should be held responsible for the safety of tourists when they hold the world cup. In order to achieve that goal, it is only logical for the government to begin cleansing dangerous drug-traffickers now.
In fact, these types of "clean-up" operations are not uncommon. Before the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Chinese government actively tried to reduce air pollution so that the Olympic games could be held in a relatively sanitary environment. The Chinese government also attempted to clean up the capital by killing as many cats as possible. The government declared that the cats were carrying potentially dangerous diseases and sent out special collection teams to bring the cats to "death-camps" on the outskirts of the city.
Similar action was taken by the South African government before they held the World Cup.
Quite simply, the Brazilian government is only doing what is necessary. I'm quite sure that they would not be as inclined to make Rio de Janeiro safer if they didn't have to host a fairly important international event.
I think that it is absolutely true that the World Cup is going to be a huge boost to Brazil's economy and great motivation for change. However, I have visited Brazil and one of the my strongest memories is of the air pollution. Just like the smog in China was difficult for the competing Olympians, I think that the soccer players are going to have a pretty hard time. In regard to the crime levels, I think that the police are going to have to deal with a lot more foolish tourists than they are used to.
I agree with everyone, however, it shouldn't take an upcoming World Cup to get the Brazilian government to save its country. Obviously this event will boost Brazil's economy, but at the same time, it draws the world's center of attention to a country that is being destroyed by drug-trafficking violence. I think the Brazilian government (which is proven to be corrupt) simply wants to the world to notice it's sudden efforts to improve the country. Rather than acting to solve this problem beforehand, the government chose do it when all eyes are on Brazil. This, in a way, doesn't reflect the greatest intentions. Nevertheless, it's good for the Brazilian way of life in Rio de Janeiro despite the violence.
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