Intervention operations in Rio favelas not to last indefinitely

General Walter Braga Netto, tasked with coordinating the public security intervention in Rio de Janeiro state, said that sending agents to permanently occupy the favelas in the city's metropolitan area is not part of the plans devised by his team. In the statement, made Tuesday (Feb. 27), he went on to announce that operations are to be local and have a fixed date for conclusion.

General Netto went on to report that the Armed Forces are to continue to take part in integrated operations including surrounding favelas with agents, whereas the state police are to be tasked with actions within the favelas.

“There's no change at the moment. The Armed Forces are already taking part in this kind of operation. We offer our support when the police have to get in to conduct an arrest. We give them support so they can go in with no incidents,” he said. “Each agency will perform its role,” he added.

Netto granted a 20-minute-long interview with the press, and presented General Mauro Sinott, head of the cabinet for Federal Intervention, as well as Army General Richard Nunes, new state secretary for public security. Nunes is to hold his first meeting with security bodies today, Netto said.

Netto also said that Pacifying Police Units (UPP in the original)—police stations installed throughout Rio favelas—will have to be given a new scope. “They stay, but we've reach a diagnosis indicating the need for a new scope of some of the operation in this connection,” he said, without getting into further detail.

The interventor—as Netto's post is called—said he has kept his work within what has been determined by the president's intervention decree, which require funds for public security previously earmarked as part of Rio's budget. “Brasília will support us, but I haven't been made familiar with figures yet.”

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira