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Body in a trolley: the brutal reality of Rio's drug war
Ed Harris21 Oct 2009
A woman carrying a child walks unconcerned past a trolley containing the dumped, hooded body of a man, the victim of bloody drugs battles sweeping through Rio de Janeiro's slums.
Brazil's president today promised to deal with traffickers after a weekend of chaos in Rio which claimed the lives of more than 20 people.
The latest violence came two weeks after the city won the 2016 Olympics, adding to fears that Brazil would be unable to guarantee the safety of competitors and visitors to both the Games and the 2014 football World Cup.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said: "We'll do anything it takes and make all necessary sacrifices so we can clean up the mess these people are imposing on Brazil."
Police said the death toll from weekend clashes between gangs had risen to 21 after more bodies were found in the Morro dos Macacos (Monkey Hill) slum, where gangs also shot down a police helicopter, killing three officers.
Mr da Silva said the government will provide emergency funding to fight the gangs that control many of Rio's 1,000 slums.
He said: "It will take time to resolve the problems. When you have a conflict of this magnitude, the innocent people always pay the price."
Reader views (12)
My lawyer wife who is Brasilian and I daily read the news from the U.K. We find the articles reported on as disturbing as i am sure the U.K. puplic do, when reading about Brasil.Worryingly this may be a wake up call for the U.K. of things to come.
- Allan, Brasil, 18/12/2009 17:37
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I'm Brasilian, and have lived in the UK for 12 years.
Yes, brasil is violent, but so is London. I feel more threathed going home at night in London than I do when I'm back home. This is "Slum War" so "normal" people are not affected, yet in the UK, there are CHILDREN, and adults getting killed on a daily basis, yet, because Brasil is a 3rd World country it gets harsh views and bad names. In the past 2 weeks there have been 3 killings near my sister's house in london, why is that not pictured or published?
- Liria Dal Molin, London UK, 23/10/2009 01:16
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I have lived half my life in Rio and half in London. What is happening in Rio is no different to what happens in London, NY, Los Angeles, Berlin, Tokyo and any major city in the world. It is just more shocking as everyone knows about it all the time. All these cities are overpopulated, and therefore have to deal with violence, drugs, crimes and murders. The difference is that these shocking reports tend to focus on the problems abroad. In Rio because of the mix in social classes everywhere in the city it is more obvious. The city is less segmentated by social class, the favelas are also in the wealthier parts of town.
How many drug related deaths are there in London and NY every year? How many make it to the front of a newspaper? What about the incidence where the police killed Menenzes (an inocent man)in the underground or the numerous stabbings outside nightclubs. Does that mean London is not going to host a good olympic games. Of course not! I was in Rio during the PanAmerican Olympic games...it was probably the most organised and safest month i have ever seen in Rio. Or anywhere in the world as a matter of fact. So enjoy the occasion, enjoy Brazil and all it has to offer during the Olympics as it is at the end of the day a celebration of all countries coming together.
- Gabriel, London, 22/10/2009 20:08
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Rio is a fabulous city, the most spectacular I have ever seen. Its people are wonderful. Having just seen the movie 'city of men' it captures exactly what is going on in the flavelas. I would hate to be a cop going into those places. I hope the President re-locates them and the Olympics are a success. Brazil deserves it.
- Laura, France, 22/10/2009 13:13
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Professor David Marsland - you can take a problem which is epidemic throughout the world and use it to label entire countries as "violent gangster states". The image of the body could be found in Los Angelos or Naples any day of the week; or indeed many other places including Zurich which has one of the worst drug problems in Europe. The drugs problems in Rio are no different to the drugs problems throughout the world.
So what label do you give to the UK when dismembered bodies are discovered in wheelie bins...
- Dannyp, Egham, 22/10/2009 08:29
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Please do not forget that, as I always say: RIO is not BRAZIL!
There are many many nice places in Brazil: Sao paulo, rio grande do sul, santa catarina, and many others.
But the sad thing is that only Rio de janeiro appears on the news, pictures etc...
Brazil is not the samba, football and carnival place that most people think it is.
A bit surprised that a professor said that Brazil is a violent gangster state. RIO is for sure, not the whole country.
Get updated Mr Marsland, leave your chair and go to real life!
- Fabiano, London - UK, 22/10/2009 00:29
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This is a reality that everybody Knew. War is everywere.This is just the price for almost 30 years of Militarism imposed by the Condor Plan. It is strange that some people can not see the reality of this world.The drugs in Brazil or in any country from South America is just part of the "mafia" that the American and European coutries imposed by contrast being consumers will never accept.We had the same in London, do not forget it.
- Walney Virgilio, London, England, 21/10/2009 20:30
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How do you define a violent gangster state? I don't think president Lula is a raging criminal! I lived in Rio de Janeiro and feel that urban violence is not going to threaten the Olimpics. It tends to be about internal issues between gangs, and rarely affects tourists apart from a few muggings.
Also I wouldn't refer to it as a flare up! It's a pretty continual stream of violence, and as such doesn't always get into the headlines.
- Sarah, Leeds, England, 21/10/2009 18:33
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I have worked in both Rio and Sao Paolo over the last 10 years, there are very few areas when you can walk around safely. No matter how much money President Lula throws as this problem the risk to peoples personal security at the Olympics will be significant. Forget the slums, bigger issue is the numorous gun toting thiefs who prowl both cities on motorcycles.
- Nick, London, UK, 21/10/2009 17:42
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The Brazilians are just practicing for the Olympics.
Shooting, when they shot down a police helicopter
running, when they invade other favelas
Bobsleding(this is for winter olympics, I know) when they send people in a troley.
Don't get afraid, the Olympics are going to be a HELL of fun!
- Carioca, Hell De Janeiro, 21/10/2009 17:12
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Brazil, South Africa and China are the three countries favoured by left-wing journalists, social democratic politicians and utopian academics. Yet all three are violent gangster states. We should not be surprised by Rio's latest criminal flare-up.
- Professor David Marsland, Reading, UK, 21/10/2009 16:43
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Great place to have the Olympics!
- Judith C, London, England, 21/10/2009 15:32
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