Tanks Roll Into Rio Slum Amid Drug Battles

[Casino67]

Skynews.com:

Military tanks have rolled into a Rio de Janeiro slum as Brazilian security forces fight bloody battles with violent drug gangs in the city's poorest neighbourhoods.

At least 30 people have been killed in five days of clashes as authorities try to crack down on traffickers, police said.

Tanks arrived at Vila Cruzeiro slum, in the north of the city, as part of a major raid on Thursday, and hundreds of suspected gang members ran away or escaped on pick-up tricks(sic) and motorbikes.

Armoured vehicles, helicopters and thousands of heavily-armed agents have also been deployed to contain a wave of violence that has taken over the city in recent days.

Gangs are fighting back by opening fire on police stations and setting cars and buses ablaze, police said.

The clashes are testing Rio authorities, who need to prove they can keep law and order ahead of two of the planet's largest sporting events - Rio is to host the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics two years later.



Video recap at site. Pretty much the same as the text.

It looks as though Rio is pretty serious about getting rid of the gangs. Good luck. Too much money involved, one dies, another takes their place.

[Rokke]

Hmmmm. Almost sounds like Paris. I've never been to Brazil, but it must be something like India. Essentially wealthy country that allows a large percentage of its population to exist like animals. Obviously redistribution of wealth isn't the answer, but there has to be a middle ground between Socialism and tanks. It doesn't appear the Workers Party is getting it done for them.

[Casino67]

Rokke, good to see your name on the board.

[Rokke]

Good to be back. I'll have to steer clear of domestic politics, but I need to re-engage my brain on what's going on in this world.

[Casino67]

Good to be back. I'll have to steer clear of domestic politics, but I need to re-engage my brain on what's going on in this world.

 

I look forward to seeing more of you.