The Brazilian government on Sunday sent a 500-strong federal
police force to Rio de Janeiro state to help the local government
quell a wave of gang violence, Agencia Brazil news agency
reported.
The report said that the police were part of the country's
National Security Force and they would launch raids and carry out
strict security measures from Monday.
The second-largest and famous resort city has seen a wave of
violence since late December, when gang members attacked police
stations and burned buses, killing at least 25.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who started his second
four-year term on Jan. 1, sent federal police to the state to fight
the violence at the request of the local government.
The action came ahead of a summit of South American leaders,
next month's Carnival celebrations and the Pan American Games in
July.
Local media reported that over the coming months, the number of
federal police patrolling Rio could reach around 6,000.
According to the country's constitution, the state governments
are responsible for public security and can request federal help if
necessary.
(Xinhua News Agency January 15, 2007)
