Federal troops occupy slum communities in Complexo da Maré
Occupation to pave the way for another Pacifying Police Unit later
Federal troops have been deployed to Complexo da Maré, a group of slums in North Rio, since Saturday morning (Apr. 5). As a first step, they occupied all exits from 15 communities located around three highways – Avenida Brasil, the Yellow Line, and the Red Line.
A total of 2,700 military, consisting of 2,050 men from the Army's Parachute Brigade, 450 Marines, and 200 Military Police officers rely on 20 armored tanks, plus machine-gun jeeps. The occupation is planned to last at least until July 31.
The deployment, which is part of a Law and Order Enforcement Operation whereby the governor invites federal government intervention in specified areas, will lead to the creation of a Pacifying Police Unit (UPP) in the communities that make up the Complexo da Maré slums, planned to take place later this year.
In an effort to communicate with the 130,000 population, the military forces drive across the community in a vehicle equipped with loudspeakers to warn locals of the occupation: “Attention, community: the Pacifying Troops appreciate your cooperation. We are here to protect you and your families. You, too, are an important part of pacifying your area. We are working to ensure your security.”
The operation has been met with mixed feelings. A mechanic from the Timbau community, who asked to remain anonymous, spoke to Agência Brasil as he held his six-month daughter in his arms. He showed skepticism about the operation.
“You can't feel safe with so many armed soldiers out there. People are actually afraid of leaving their homes. I do hope we'll be safer now, but it never gets to 100%,” he said, adding that “if you look at the schools, you find that the standards are so poor. If we had better schools, we wouldn't need all this police around.”
Staying at her brother's, an anonymous woman seemed more confident. “It's been really amazing. Very good indeed. Now I know I don't have to worry so much about my brother and his family.”
Still, most residents are reluctant to speak to the media. We asked the same question to a local who was taking her 7-year-old daughter to the dentist's. “I think it's all quiet – just like before,” she said vaguely.
More optimistic, a hawker who has been in Maré selling his goods for 15 years said, “This is a nice place already and it's going to get even better. Violence's an issue everywhere.”
Translated by Mayra Borges
Fonte: Federal troops occupy slum communities in Complexo da Maré
