Brazil troops launch anti-crime operations in Rio slums
Thousands of Brazilian troops have raided Rio de Janeiro favelas in a pre-dawn crackdown on criminal gangs, leaving parts of the city looking like a warzone.
Five favelas were targeted by police and 3,600 troops in a swoop that started on Saturday. Officials said their main goal was to stop the gangs behind a surge in robberies of commercial trucks, but residents said the raids created more tension and fear.
Rio state authorities said there were 10,000 cases of cargo theft last year.
Al Jazeera’s Daniel Schweimler reports from Rio de Janeiro.
– Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe
– Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish
– Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera
– Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/