Gang Violence Disrupts Rio Before Fest
Rio Gang Violence Disrupts City Ahead of Carnival; at Least Four Injured

The Associated Press

Suspected gang members burned buses, attacked police and tossed gasoline bombs at cars and buildings in Rio on Monday, causing mayhem across the city before the opening of the annual Carnival celebration.

No deaths were reported, but there were at least six injuries.

In separate incidents, a suspected drug gang member shot and wounded a police officer, while a gasoline bomb attack on a bus left five passengers injured with burns, authorities said.

Many stores in Rio closed for the day, reportedly on orders from the violent drug gangs that control the city's favelas, or shantytowns.

Police said 30 people were arrested for burning, looting and distributing a letter purportedly from the Red Command, the city's most feared criminal gang.

"Anyone who opens the doors of his store will be disobeying an order and will be swiftly punished," read the letter.

The letter said the attacks were to protest the "oppressive policies" of the state government.

Justice Minister Marcio Thomaz Bastos offered to send federal police to Rio to help.

"This episode was intended to create an atmosphere of instability," Josias Quintal, the Rio de Janeiro state security chief, said at a news conference at the governor's palace.

Police said 20 vehicles were set on fire, most of them buses on the city's poor north side. Gasoline bombs were also tossed near an apartment building in the beachfront district of Ipanema, shattering windows.

By noon, police said the situation was under control in the city, but many stores remained shuttered, especially in areas close to the shantytowns.

Many workers had to stay home or were stranded when bus lines suspended service. "I can't leave the house because they are shooting and looting," Gina Cardoso Silva, a maid, said by telephone from the Jacare shantytown.

Monday's violence comes before Friday's start of Rio's Carnival, the annual pre-Lenten festival. Authorities feared the violence would reinforce Rio's reputation as a violent city.

"Hotels are packed like never before, and this certainly will have a negative impact on the city's tourism image," Rio Mayor Cesar Maia said.)


Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

This news came from ABC News at http://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/ap20030224_1478.html.

You can also find links to more news about Rio at http://www.brazildaily.com.

This is just to inform CH'ers so that they can be informed and to take little extra caution.

(Message edited by Godigutz on February 25, 2003)

A dose of perspective on yesterday's events.

This happens every year (at least for the past 5 eyars or so). The durg gangs try and make a big "splash" right before Carnaval to shake things up with the police, the police squash them, and then everything calms down again. OK, so it's insane, and not what you'd expect in Des Moines, but you're not going to Rio for the peace and quiet, are you? To be blunt, if it wasn't somewhat dangerous, criminal, etc., it wouldn't be a monger paradise, either, would it?

Bottom line - be careful in Rio, keep your wits about you.. but yesterday's event's aren't teh end of the world.

Thanks for the post, Godigutz, it was good info. I'm just writing this post to put it in perspective, not to criticize you or anyone else.

BS

BS,

Bailed me out on that one...sending your words of wisdom along to fellow travelers..We'll make it down there.

Thanks.

B2

No problem, Badseed; I posted the news just to let our friends know that it is wise to take extra precaution during Carnival. In reality, almost anywhere in the world, one should be extra careful during big public holidays/events because it is during these times when the criminal elements are most active (i.e., muggers, holduppers, pick-pockets, etc.) I, for one, will not be stopped from going just because of this. If you are going to the Carnival, enjoy every moment of it! Just be a little more careful. :-)

Maybe we can't expect this in Des Moines, but surely in Oakland. There were street riots all over the city when the Raiders won the AFC championship. Cars were burned. There were sporadic lootings. Several business establishments burned. (Can you imagine if they won the Super Bowl?)

Hmm, makes me wonder what it is that they DO do for fun in Des Moines. Cow-tipping? TP the neighbor's house? Anyone know?

;-)

BS