Party atmosphere grips Rio under increased security as Carnival draws nears

Record ID: 275944

  • Title: Party atmosphere grips Rio under increased security as Carnival draws nears
  • Date: 21st February 2017
  • Summary: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (FEBRUARY 21, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ARMED TROOPS PATROLLING COPACABANA BEACH CARNIVAL BANNER ON COPACABANA BEACH VARIOUS OF HOTELS ON COPACABANA BEACH TOURISTS ON COPACABANA BEACH (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) TOURIST, BEDUINA OLIVEIRA BRITO, SAYING: "I'm worried about security. There's not much. Security is bad but our group (of friends) is large an
  • Embargoed: 7th March 2017 15:56
  • Keywords: Brazil Rio de Janeiro Carnival carnaval security party
  • Location: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
  • City: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA00164GSF9F
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Brazilian Armed Forces patrolled the streets of Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday (February 21) -- ahead of Rio de Janeiro's Carnival festivities which will kick off on Friday (February 24) -- following a wave of unrest and killings amid police strikes in the neighbouring Espirito Santo state. Police have said there could be more strikes ahead of Rio's bustling carnival.
    The deployment of 9,000 officers to the city comes in the wake of violence in the state of Espirito Santo which left more than 120 people dead in one week.
    Military deployments to bolster public security in Rio are not new, and were widespread during the 2016 Rio Olympics. However, some tourists say they still have security concerns.
    "I'm worried about security. There's not much. Security is bad but our group (of friends) is large and so there's no danger," said tourist Beduina Oliveira Brito.
    Just to the north of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Espirito Santo is one of several Brazilian states grappling with a budget crisis that is crippling essential public services for millions of citizens. The police strike left a security vacuum and led to rampant assaults, heists and looting, often in broad daylight.
    Rio's municipal government expects more than a million visitors and says the week of parades, street parties, tourism and related activities should generate almost $1 billion dollars.
    Another tourist, Gabriel, said he was looking forward to the event.
    "It's fine, we are having a good time on the street and now we are just waiting for the sambadrome," said Gabriel mixing Spanish and Portuguese.
    Carnival events will be broadcast to millions of viewers in Brazil and around the world.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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