by Emilee Gaebler
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America
BRASÍLIA, Brazil – The Alemão slum complex in Rio de Janeiro is once again beset by violence. On Sunday evening, a scuffle between residents and the assigned Peace Force in the community took place. Reports of this incident show that three residents were arrested and that pepper spray and rubber bullets were used to disperse crowds. There were no reported deaths, although one woman was hit by a rubber bullet and a police officer was hit in the head with a stone.
The Peace Force has been present in the Alemão slum since November of last year. At that time, security forces entered and gained control as part of a “pacification program”. This program was an attempt to curb violence levels, in preparation for hosting the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics. Alemão had been the base for the Red Command, Rio’s largest drug gang. The securing of the complex was viewed as a huge success as it severely inhibited drug trafficking and related violence.
Reports of how Sunday’s altercation began vary. The Peace Force claims to have been assaulted by residents throwing stones and bottles as a foot patrol team arrested a man who had harassed them. Residents say that it started with a request, from a Peace Force team, to lower the volume on a television set at a bar and escalated from there.
Following Sunday’s scuffle, on Tuesday, a group of drug traffickers from a neighboring slum opened fire on the soldiers patrolling Alemão. The Washington Post reports that television broadcasts show residents running to find cover from the bullets flying through the air. Locals claim that a 15 year-old girl was killed in the fight and at least 16 others were wounded. Authorities deny that any deaths occurred as a result of the struggle.
The aunt of the 15 year-old girl, allegedly killed from a stray bullet, was frustrated by the government’s response. She stated, “I’m very angry because I was born and raised here and no one in my family has ever been killed in shootings. Now that (the slum) has been pacified, I’m seeing one of them killed. Where’s the state? Where are the authorities?”
Other residents voiced concerns that even with the Peace Force presence they do not feel any safer. Also heard were complaints of overly aggressive policing in Alemão. Authorities announced that police will now force occupations of the neighboring two slums as that is where the drug traffickers are believed to have originated from.
For more information, please see;
MercoPress – Brazilian Forces Try to Regain Control of Shantytown Again Lost to Criminal Gangs – 8 September 2011
BBC News – Extra Troops Sent to Rio Slum After Gunfight Erupts – 7 September 2011
The Washington Post – More Troops Flood Into Rio de Janeiro Slum After Fellow Soldiers Attacked by Gangs – 7 September 2011
The Rio Times – Confrontation in Complexo Alemão – 5 September 2011
