There’s an ambitious government programme underway in one of Rio de Janeiro’s biggest slums, or favelas. The aim is to clear Rocinha – home to over 100,000 people – of the drugs gangs that have dominated there for decades. The strategy, known as ‘pacification’, begins with a raid by Brazilian elite forces to drive out…
After the police occupation in November of 2011, rent has increased by 30% The occupation of Rocinha by security forces has put the community in focus. Conveniently located in the south zone of Rio de Janeiro, close to the beach and overlooking the ocean, peace should be cause for celebration for the residents, but instead it has…
Great article from the Guardian by Ignacio Cano – a senior lecturer in research methodology at the department of social sciences of the State University of Rio de Janeiro. Worth the read – which is why we posted this article. The real test for Rio is not whether it can make the World Cup and Olympics safe,…
On Thursday, November 17th there was an important meeting in Rocinha’s Sports Complex (Complexo Esportivo da Rocinha) at 6:30PM. The meeting was organized by the Community Board for Rocinha, São Conrado and Gávea (Câmara Comunitária da Rocinha, São Conrado e Gávea). The Community Board is a social movement that was formed in early 2011 with…
It has been a week since the state government’s ‘pacification’ process began in Rocinha – on the 13th of November. The constant coverage and sensationalism are quickly becoming repetitive and they are distracting from more important issues here in Rocinha and elsewhere in Rio. It is important to keep in mind that the incursion and…
Rocinha was officially ‘occupied’ during the early morning hours of Sunday, November 13th. This was only the first phase of the state’s ‘pacification’ process. Authorities have been promising that Rocinha would received a UPP since 2009, and for various nuanced reasons it took a long time to occur. There are countless angles in which this…
( a brief on organized crime and security policy in Rocinha. ) Mundo Real’s home community of Rocinha has entered a defining moment in its almost 90 year history. But before continuing it is worth mentioning that organized crime and security policy are very sensitive issues in Rocinha, and for us, a small community-based organization…
At least eleven sets of housing blocks in the program “Minha Casa, Minha Vida” (My House, My Life), are being targeted by the actions of paramilitary groups in the western area of Rio de Janeiro. According to information published on Saturday by the newspaper O Globo, the militia loyal to former military police officer Ricardo Teixeira da Cruz, Batman, were exploiting gas services, cable TV, and”private security”, making threats to residents in condos in Campo Grande, Cosmosand Realengo. Currently Batman is being…
The UPP Causes Real Estate Hikes in Rio Cirilo Junior Rio Real Estate properties located in neighborhoods that are patrolled by Pacifying Police Units (UPP) will double in value, according to Secovi Rio, Rio’s Housing Union. Car insurance costs have dropped since the installation of UPP units, and there is talk of extending the program…
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