Recently, rival drug trafficking gangs and factions in Rio de Janeiro’s giant Rocinha favela have fought several frightening street battles for dominance. The heavily-armed gang members were more than local police could handle, so 950 army soldiers were deployed to the narrow streets and alleys of Rocinha on Friday. After numerous arrests, officials say the favela is now back under control, with the soldiers still in place for the time being.
Army Troops Deployed in Rio Slum to Fight Drug Gang Violence
Hints:
View this page full screen.
Skip to the next and previous photo by typing j/k or ←/→.
-
![]()
Read moreBrazilian army military police patrol an alley in the Rocinha favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on September 25, 2017. Shootouts had erupted in several areas of Rio on September 22, prompting Brazilian authorities to shut roads, close schools, and ask for the Army to intervene. #
Mauro Pimentel / AFP / Getty -
-
![]()
Read moreSoldiers patrol Rocinha in Rio de Janeiro on September 25, 2017. #
Carl De Souza / AFP / Getty -
![]()
Read moreA woman squeezes against the wall as soldiers patrol in an alley during an operation in Rocinha on September 22, 2017. #
Leo Correa / AP -
![]()
Read moreBrazilian Armed Forces patrol in the Rocinha community on September 22, 2017. #
Mario Tama / Getty -
-
![]()
Read moreA soldier looks on in an alley during an operation after violent clashes between drug gangs in Rocinha on September 22, 2017. #
Ricardo Moraes / Reuters -
![]()
Read moreBrazilian army military police patrol along an alley in Rocinha on September 25, 2017. #
Mauro Pimentel / AFP / Getty -
![]()
Read moreA man is taken into custody by special forces during a joint operation by the police and Brazilian Armed Forces to fight heavily armed drug traffickers in Rocinha on September 22, 2017. #
Mauro Pimentel / AFP / Getty -
-
![]()
Read moreA view of the Rocinha favela in Rio de Janeiro on September 26, 2017. #
Bruno Kelly / Reuters -
![]()
Read moreMilitarized police personnel in combat gear deploy in Rocinha on September 23, 2017. #
Carl De Souza / AFP / Getty -
![]()
Read moreA woman walks with her baby past a militarized police soldier in position in Rocinha on September 23, 2017. #
Carl De Souza / AFP / Getty -
-
![]()
Read moreA soldier holds his weapon in an alley during an operation after violent clashes between drug gangs in Rocinha on September 22, 2017. #
Ricardo Moraes / Reuters -
![]()
Read moreBrazilian soldiers keep watch on patrol in Rocinha on September 23, 2017. #
Mario Tama / Getty -
![]()
Read moreA woman checks her phone in Rocinha on September 24, 2017, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. #
Mario Tama / Getty -
-
![]()
Read moreMembers of the armed forces take up position during an operation after violent clashes between drug gangs in Rocinha on September 25, 2017. #
Bruno Kelly / Reuters -
![]()
Read moreResidents watch an armored vehicle during an operation in the Rocinha favela, in Rio de Janeiro, on September 22, 2017. #
Silvia Izquierdo / AP -
![]()
Read moreBrazilian army military police patrol along an alley in Rocinha on September 25, 2017. #
Mauro Pimentel / AFP / Getty -
-
![]()
Read moreA woman looks out of a window in Rocinha on September 24, 2017. #
Mario Tama / Getty -
![]()
Read moreMembers of the police and the armed forces take part in an operation to fight heavily-armed drug traffickers in Rocinha on September 22, 2017. #
Mauro Pimentel / AFP / Getty -
![]()
Read morePolicemen and journalists take cover during an operation to fight heavily armed drug traffickers in the Rocinha favela on September 22, 2017. #
Mauro Pimentel / AFP / Getty -
-
![]()
Read moreA Brazilian soldier keeps watch as young men wait to be searched in Rocinha on September 24, 2017. #
Mario Tama / Getty -
![]()
Read morePolice commandos patrol an alley of the Rocinha favela in Rio on September 23, 2017. #
Carl De Souza / AFP / Getty -
![]()
Read moreA woman hangs out her laundry as militarized police stand guard in Rocinha on September 25, 2017. #
Carl De Souza / AFP / Getty -
-
![]()
Read moreA soldier walks past a resident playing his accordion during an operation in Rocinha on September 22, 2017. #
Leo Correa / AP -
![]()
Read moreMembers of the police and the armed forces take part in an operation to fight heavily-armed drug traffickers in the Rocinha favela in Rio de Janeiro, on September 22, 2017. #
Mauro Pimentel / AFP / Getty
We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to [email protected].