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Security Brief for: Brazil Focus on: Rio de Janeiro |
| Country | City | Security Situation | Crime |Kidnapping | Drug trafficking | Police | Airport | Hotels | Ground Transportation | Fire Safety | Communications | Cultural Tips | Serving Airlines
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Risk Status:
Medium
(Brazil)
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| Country The most influential country in the region, Brazil covers almost half the continent of South America and borders every South American country except for Chile and Ecuador. Brazil is rich in natural resources, most notably the vast rainforests of the Amazon River basin. These resources and the land they lie on or under, however, are controlled almost exclusively by a very small percentage of the people. With 35 million people living in poverty, the gap between rich and poor in Brazil is one of the world's greatest and is a constant source of tension.
President Luiz Inácio "Lula" da Silva is Brazil's first ever left-wing president. Lula has combined left-leaning and more conservative styles of governing in his cabinet, and had led the country to a steady economic recovery, albeit a slow one. Recent allegations of corruption have damaged Lula's reputation and may hurt his chances for reelection in 2006.
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| City Rio de Janeiro is known for its large industrial and financial sectors as well as for its fine beaches and exciting nightlife, especially in the Copacabana and Ipanema neighborhoods. The city also has the dubious distinction of having one of the highest crime rates in the world, which is attributable to high rates of unemployment and poverty. Rio is laid out in districts. From north to south the main districts are: Centro (the central business district), Lapa, Gloria, Catete, Flamengo, Botafogo, Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon and Gavea. These districts lie between the hills and the ocean; the shantytowns climb the hillsides that dot the city. Back to Top |
| Security Situation The principal security concerns in Rio are crime, kidnapping, drug trafficking, police corruption and demonstrations. |
| Crime Most violent crime occurs in the North Zone and in hillside shantytowns, while the more affluent and touristic South Zone experiences mainly petty crime. Carjackings occur near tunnels and late at night throughout Rio; rush-hour gunpoint-robberies are more common near the beaches at night due to the relative ease with which a robbery can occur. Carjackings usually require two to three vehicles to surround the targeted vehicle, and the density of crowds make this more difficult to accomplish along the beach areas. |
| Kidnapping Rio, which once led the nation in the number of abductions every year, has experienced a sharp decline in kidnappings. The authorities in Rio attribute their success to a strengthening of anti-kidnapping divisions in the police force and a strict policy against ransom payments. In addition, investigators are coordinating their efforts with an internal intelligence division and limiting the actions of officers suspected of helping to carry out kidnappings.
That said, kidnapping is still a relevant concern in the city, and the primary targets are wealthy Brazilians. Multinational personnel are usually secondary targets for kidnappers, and usually only those who leave themselves in a vulnerable position are abducted. Foreign tourists are generally not kidnapping targets, as tourists are outright robbed (Travelers often have difficulty withdrawing money from ATMs in Brazil, and it is easier for assailants to rob them of cash). Most kidnappings go unreported to the police force for fear of retaliation or of collaboration with the criminals. The abductors are usually well organized and well armed; they typically employ paramilitary methods to abduct their victims.
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| Drug trafficking Drug-related violence is a significant concern in Rio. Though shantytowns, or "favelas," are the primary site of the ongoing war between traffickers and police officers, the influence of drug lords has spread throughout the city. All areas in Rio (including Ipanema and Copacabana) have obeyed drug lord orders to close their doors for business, and crime sprees have resulted in shootings and low-power bombings of buildings in even the wealthiest areas of the city. Poverty, corruption, inadequate law enforcement, lack of drug-fighting equipment, fewer border and customs searches due to the Mercosur trade pact, and a weak judicial system all contribute to the booming drug business. |
| Police The Civil Police, Military Police and the recently founded Tourist Police make up the three law enforcement branches in Rio. Rio's police forces are inadequately funded and characterized by slow response times. Travelers should report crimes to the Tourist Police and to their respective diplomatic office. Back to Top |
| Airport Antonio Carlos Jobim, also known as Galeao International Airport, is located 15 mi/24 km north of downtown Rio. Taxis, the subway, limousines, airport shuttles and helicopters are available for transport to the Centro and the wealthier southern suburbs. If using a taxi, use the taxis at the prepaid taxi booth, avoid the taxis waiting right outside the baggage claim area.
U.S. citizens entering Brazil will be fingerprinted and photographed at the airport. These measures were implemented in response to US VIST, a U.S. law enacted in 2004 that requires the majority of foreign visitors entering the United States to be fingerprinted and photographed.
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| Hotels Caesar Park Ipanema, Excelsior, Marriott |
| Ground Transportation There are concerns with all forms of ground transportation in Rio due to extremely heavy traffic and the threat of carjacking and robbery of motorists. Criminals tend to target individuals in late model cars who are stopped in traffic or at red lights, especially after dark. Rio authorities no longer require motorists to come to a full stop at red lights between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. In accordance with local driving practices, motorists reduce speed and flash their bright lights when approaching intersections. The subway, which runs north of Botafogo, is clean, efficient and a better alternative than walking between close destinations in the Centro, but shootouts have occurred at subway stations. Visitors should only employ prearranged transportation through a reputable source. Reputable taxi companies include Transcopass, Cotramo, Copatur and Aerocop. Back to Top |
| Fire Safety Select a hotel room between the second and seventh floors, as a higher floor may be out of reach of fire equipment. In case of fire, do not use the elevators. Be able to find the fire escapes in the dark. |
| Communications Urban telephone service is adequate. All telephone service is operated by Embratel, the national telephone company. Public pay phones are operated by tokens, not coins. Numerous public phones, however, do not work due to vandalism. Internet and cellular services are adequate. |
| Cultural Tips Brazilian culture is recognized for being vibrant and outgoing. In social and familiar situations, women customarily greet friends and family with an embrace and kiss on alternating cheeks. The "thumbs up" sign is used to show approval instead of the "OK" gesture, which is considered offensive in Brazil. When walking on the street, it is common for men to whistle or call out to women. Usually, this behavior is harmless, and the best reaction is to ignore it. Late arrivals are usually acceptable and often expected. By the same token, one can expect to stay later than planned. Brazilians are extremely cordial, and casual discussion is an important means of socializing. While Brazilians will sometimes conduct spirited conversations and argue for their convictions with a vigor that may seem like anger, it is usually not. Appearance is very important and determines the way an individual is perceived and treated. Suits are normally worn to business meetings. Nice casual attire is generally worn in public, and many Brazilians are fashion conscious. Brazilians do not eat anything with their hands. Even when eating a burger and fries, most people use a fork and knife, or at least a napkin to handle their food. Along the same lines, Brazilians do not drink directly from glass bottles, as they are perceived to be dirty. A glass, or at least a straw, is always used. Back to Top |
| Serving Airlines Aerolíneas Argentinas, Air France, American Airlines, Avianca, British Airways, Continental Airlines, Gol Transportes Aereos, Iberia Airlines, Lan Airlines, Lloyed Aereo Boliviano, Lufthansa, Pluna Lineas Aéreas Uruguayas, TAAG Angola Airlines, TAM Linhas Aéreas, TAP Air Portugal, United Airlines, VARIG, VASP Brazilian Airlines |
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4th Quarter 2005 |
More than ever, security is a top concern among international travelers.