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November 29, 2010 |
Rio's drug war
A small war took place last week in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between Brazilian forces and hundreds of drug traffickers holed up in the shantytown complex dubbed Complexo do Alemão. After recent efforts by officials to pacify Rio's drug and gang-related violence ahead of the upcoming the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics Games, drug gangs struck out last week - attacking police stations and staging mass robberies. After days of preparation, Brazilian security forces launched a raid in the Complexo do Alemão, where between 500 and 600 drug traffickers were holed up. At least 42 people were killed in the violence last week, with security forces taking control of many neighborhoods. A relatively low number of arrests were made, and authorities warn of further conflict as continue to flush out more suspects in Rio's maze of favelas. (40 photos total)

Police move to positions during an operation against alleged drug traffickers at the Complexo do Alemão slum, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010. Rio police backed by helicopters and armored vehicles started invading a shantytown complex long held by traffickers on Sunday, slowly moving their way through small alleys amid heavy gunfire. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) #

People react after shooting set a house on fire during a conjoined operation at the Complexo do Alemão slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010. Soldiers and police crouching behind armored vehicles trained their rifles on dozens of entrances to a sprawling slum Saturday, preparing to invade and try to push drug gangs out an area long considered the most dangerous in Rio de Janeiro. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) #

An armored vehicle of the Brazilian Army rolls over a blockade during an operation at Alemão slum in Rio de Janeiro November 28, 2010. Police positioned armored vehicles on the edge of a Rio de Janeiro slum at dusk on Saturday in preparation for a possible offensive to root out drug traffickers. (REUTERS/Bruno Domingos) #

The bullet-hit window of a taxi, as Reuters' photographer Paulo Whitaker was injured during an operation at Vila Cruzeiro slum in Rio de Janeiro November 26, 2010. Whitaker was shot in the shoulder during the coverage but he is recovering quickly as his injury is not life-threatening, doctors said. (REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker) #
More links and information
Brazilian Forces Claim Victory in Gang Haven - NYTimes.com, 11/28
Cops warn Rio gangs after seizing 'heart of evil' - MSNBC.com, 11/29