Brazil: Authorities to send army into slums of Rio de Janeiro, due to increase in violence

thetuardian.com reported that Brazilian authorities are poised to send the army into the slums of Rio de Janeiro less than three months before the World Cup. The move follows attacks on police that have resulted in the most tense standoff for years in the favelas. The Rio state governor, Sérgio Cabral, has requested the reinforcements after assaults on police bases, apparently co-ordinated by the city’s biggest gang, Comando Vermelho. An escalation of murders, revenge killings and fire-bombings have prompted talk of a war between the police and gangsters. Favela residents and NGOs say the situation is now more tense than at any time since 2010, when the authorities began a “pacification” programme to regain control of communities from armed traffickers. Read Article