CLAC – ENGLISH VI JULIO CESAR DA COSTA VIEIRA

History of violence in Rio de Janeiro

"Troops from the Brazilian army remain in the hills of Rio; stray bullet kills a student in a
public school in Rio de Janeiro; Red Command handles organized crime, including in prisons of
Rio; British tourists are surprised and robbed by bandits in Leblon; 'trawler' leaves dozens of
desperate people on Copacabana Beach.”

Unfortunately, headlines like these are routinely disclosed by the news. Clearly, fear and
violence haunt not only the cities of Rio de Janeiro. On the other hand, the fact that Rio is living
with the sense of dread since before its founding. Fear and violence in Rio de Janeiro crossed
centuries, gaining new scenarios and collecting old reactions. Whether in time of the illegal
shipment of Brazil wood to Europe, either in greed for fear of diseases brought by the slave trade
(transported from Africa by slave ships without any condition of health and hygiene), fear of foreign
invasions, fear also being attacked by the natives. Everywhere there was fear.

This anxiety in this population of Rio de Janeiro gave reactions of fear even in situations
that posed no risks, such as a simple approximation of unknown vessels off the coast of the bay,
which was enough for many to leave their homes in the city, fleeing to the inland carrying women ,
children and personal property.

The slave trade also brought fear and concern for those on the streets of Rio de Janeiro.
Residents living with the disorder, insecurity and fear of disease contamination stemmed from lack
of sanitation provided mainly by the slave trade in the city. The insecurity generated inside the
colony was also caused concern among residents of Rio. Criminals, slaves, freed slaves, fugitive
slaves, gypsies and people of strange attire - all these reflect real threat in the eyes of whites.

However, Rio de Janeiro today is a paradoxical mixture. On one side presents beautiful
landscapes responsible for thousands of tourists visit every year, on the other hand, there is a
proliferation of slums located mainly in the hills of Rio Joy and colorful samba present annual
carnival processions in harmony with the historical soccer matches in Maracana, greetings that are
increasingly vying with the chapters on crime in Rio.

Nicknamed "Marvelous City", Rio now blends with the boldness of a parallel force
commanded by criminal gangs as the "Red Command", an organization seen as largely
responsible for the persistence of people's insecurity in Rio.

Violence and fears aside, in 2016 Rio de Janeiro will have the privilege of hosting the
Olympics, a fact that will require a significant strengthening of attention and public security
authorities. The sporting event will provide a large increase in the number of tourists, especially
foreigners who are staying at the Rio (the State of Rio de Janeiro, even with its problems, is still to
receive more foreign tourists every year.) Maybe this is an opportunity to show that the definitive
and progressive combat insecurity and violence in Rio de Janeiro is possible.