Three Brazilians die in shoot-out in Rio shantytown

[Lanie]

With a population of 100,000 people, it is one of the largest favelas in the Brazilian city and has become something of a tourist destination for visitors wanting to see the poorer parts of Rio.

Police said they had been fired at while on patrol in Complexo do Alemao. The officers alleged that the two dead youths had links to drug trafficking.

"They use radios to tell each other where there's a patrol and when they spot a small group of officers, they give orders to attack," a local policeman told O Globo.

Shootings continue to be frequent in the area, despite the fact that the Complexo do Alemao was among the first favelas to be "pacified".

Soldiers first moved into the shanty town in 2010, and in 2012 a permanent police presence was established in the area.

For the preceding decades, the area had been a virtual no-go zone for the security forces.

Security has been one of the main concerns for the Brazilian authorities during the World Cup and thousands of extra troops and police have been deployed to guarantee the safety of visitors and residents alike.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-27979342

[SaintLouieWoman]

Good find. I've been wondering if the Brazilian government could keep any violence under wraps during the World Cup, sort of like the Russians during the Winter Olympics.

Quite a while ago had been on a cruise that docked near Caracas, Venezuela. I can't even imagine how bad it is now. They told us to not wear watches ashore, no cameras, no purses, no earrings (for the women). They weren't as worried about the drugs (or at least the ship representatives never said anything), but they were cautioning us against being mugged. The trip to the city wasn't exactly pleasant, too much tension.

But what the heck, it was a free trip, an award trip for the year's sales.

Those areas in Brazil must be really frightening if the cops usually won't venture into it, sort of like East St Louis, Illinois.

[Lanie]

Good find. I've been wondering if the Brazilian government could keep any violence under wraps during the World Cup, sort of like the Russians during the Winter Olympics.

Quite a while ago had been on a cruise that docked near Caracas, Venezuela. I can't even imagine how bad it is now. They told us to not wear watches ashore, no cameras, no purses, no earrings (for the women). They weren't as worried about the drugs (or at least the ship representatives never said anything), but they were cautioning us against being mugged. The trip to the city wasn't exactly pleasant, too much tension.

But what the heck, it was a free trip, an award trip for the year's sales.

Those areas in Brazil must be really frightening if the cops usually won't venture into it, sort of like East St Louis, Illinois.

Sad thing is I've been interested in going to Brazil. Is there any part of South America that's a little bit safe? I guess some would say the same about the US, but I'm used to it here.

[Adam Wood]

Sad thing is I've been interested in going to Brazil. Is there any part of South America that's a little bit safe? I guess some would say the same about the US, but I'm used to it here.

Chile is relatively safe, as are a number of other places, such as Ecuador. Emphasis on "relatively." It's always risky for Americans almost anywhere in the world, from Australia to Japan to even the UK or France or even Canada. In most areas in the world, even to include most Middle-Eastern areas of the world, if you, as an American, stick to the generally tourist areas, you're pretty much as safe as you can be even in your own home.

It depends upon one's idea and definition of "unsafe" as to whether or not Rio or São Paulo or Brasilia or whatever is "unsafe." If you look at the raw numbers, Chicago is far less safe than São Paulo, for example, but it depends entirely upon where you go in Chicago as to how "safe" you are. Same thing in New York, L.A., Miami, Atlanta, Birmingham, Charlotte, Dallas, or pretty much any other relatively major city in the U.S. or anywhere else in the Western Hemisphere, particularly North America.

[NJCardFan]

And remember, the Olympics will be in Rio in 2016. That ought to be interesting.

[Adam Wood]

And remember, the Olympics will be in Rio in 2016. That ought to be interesting.

I am, frankly, amazed that they've managed to pull off the World Cup. Those chickens are coming home to roost in no time at all, because six months ago, the governments of Brazilian states were forced to sign absurd contracts to get the construction done and done fast to avoid embarrassment. Brazil is going to lose a FORTUNE on this, and they will almost certainly actually go bankrupt trying to host the Olympics. And they'll be fucking FURIOUS if the USA manages to pull it out for a good finish for FIFA. They freaking HATE Americans down there. Absolutely despise us. They have been actively fucking over Americans on visas for more than a year now.

It has to be a very hard time for the hard socialist/pretty much communist Brazilian government, led by a convicted murderer. They really have to be wondering what to do: accept that hard currency from North America, which will piss off the local population beyond words, or hold them out, and try to make their idiotic socialism work without infusions of capitalist money to keep them afloat.

[SaintLouieWoman]

I am, frankly, amazed that they've managed to pull off the World Cup. Those chickens are coming home to roost in no time at all, because six months ago, the governments of Brazilian states were forced to sign absurd contracts to get the construction done and done fast to avoid embarrassment. Brazil is going to lose a FORTUNE on this, and they will almost certainly actually go bankrupt trying to host the Olympics. And they'll be fucking FURIOUS if the USA manages to pull it out for a good finish for FIFA. They freaking HATE Americans down there. Absolutely despise us. They have been actively fucking over Americans on visas for more than a year now.

It has to be a very hard time for the hard socialist/pretty much communist Brazilian government, led by a convicted murderer. They really have to be wondering what to do: accept that hard currency from North America, which will piss off the local population beyond words, or hold them out, and try to make their idiotic socialism work without infusions of capitalist money to keep them afloat.

Funny thing, no matter how much they hate us, they usually take our money.

Is it safe in British Columbia, specifically Vancouver Island? I'd love to go there next year and see the orca whales again. Had been to the Johnson Straits. Because of health issues need to find places that have good health facilities in case of emergency. I'm so glad that I went to Africa years ago (Kenya briefly, Tanzania, briefly in S Africa). I'd be afraid to go now.

We'll probably have to settle for the US. We keep getting the brochures on those Viking River Cruises, but have noticed they are no longer featuring those trips through the Ukraine. There's something about being on a boat in a relatively narrow river, with perhaps folks shooting from both banks that gets me slightly nervous.

[Zathras]

Bout damned time someone made the World Cup exciting. Now if we can just get the US team eliminated then we can return to watching more exciting sports like golf.

[noonwitch]

Sad thing is I've been interested in going to Brazil. Is there any part of South America that's a little bit safe? I guess some would say the same about the US, but I'm used to it here.

I don't know if there is a safe place in South America, but there are ways to minimize risks. Go with a tour group through a legitimate company with a good track record-there are tours that go to Machu Pichu, for example, if you are physically up for the climb.


I say let's have the next World Cup in Detroit. At least DPD has the MSP to back them up. Not to mention the federal law enforcement that would also be present-Homeland Security, FBI, etc. At least there'd be some sports teams worth cheering for at Ford Field for a change.

[Adam Wood]

Funny thing, no matter how much they hate us, they usually take our money.

Is it safe in British Columbia, specifically Vancouver Island? I'd love to go there next year and see the orca whales again.

Vancouver Island is about the safest place on earth, outside of, maybe, DisneyWorld. Vancouver the city is pretty safe, too.

Fly into Seattle, spend a day or two, then take the Clipper up to Victoria, spend a few days in the gardens or generally exploring or whatever it is you'd like to do. Then take the Clipper or B.C. Ferries over to Vancouver for a day or two, then take the choo-choo down to Seattle and fly back home. A nice week's vacation, should be pretty relaxing. Never terribly far from a high-quality health facility. And, usually relatively inexpensive (probably less than $3500 all-in for a couple).

We'll probably have to settle for the US. We keep getting the brochures on those Viking River Cruises, but have noticed they are no longer featuring those trips through the Ukraine. There's something about being on a boat in a relatively narrow river, with perhaps folks shooting from both banks that gets me slightly nervous.

Lots of different, and very good, options there. Danube cruises are getting very popular. I would love to do Christmas on the Main & Rhine. Fortunately, no Nazis or Soviets firing from either river bank.