In Rio, anyone planning a winter break here the next little while might want to...

[turboturist]

reconsider.

With the favela pacification they are doing the drugs lords are fighting back. They have sent every one home early the last few days from the office as public transport is getting dangerous. They have brought in the military with some tanks to enter some of the Favelas and several public buses are being torched daily.

Dont want to freak anyone out that may be coming here for New years but you may want to change your plans if tickets are not already purchased. They said there were more than 30 dead today alone on the news here. I hope they are not scrapping when I am trying to get to the airport tomorrow.... cause the route to the international airport is one of the areas this is all happening in.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11832312

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11832312

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhPdVBbIvnM

http://riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/rio-politics/rocinha-pacification-date-approaches/

[slick rick]

Be safe TT.... let us know how things go on your departure tomorrow. Hearing stories like that make me even more thankful to be living in Canada.

[ta-kid]

It will get as bad here if they do not start cracking down more on the gangs pushing drugs here also,especially here in BC.Being too complacent with it out of site is not the answer.jUST LOOK AT RIO!ENOUGH SAID,I wish you a safe trip back.

[massmachine]

Be safe over there buddy...

[turboturist]

Be safe TT.... let us know how things go on your departure tomorrow. Hearing stories like that make me even more thankful to be living in Canada.

All is cool in the pool. Made it through without incident, what worries me about all of this is not what is happening now but what will happen.

This is all to try and improve the image of Rio and that they are taking a stance on the violent crime and drug trade while getting ready for the 2014 world cup and 2016 Olympics.

It may be bad now but what happens after they go back to not giving a shit after 2016? I think it will be a real mess as the drug lords try take back lost territory after they are not being "pacified" as there will be no image to try and uphold.

I love it there though, the people, the culture etc. It’s sad that such a beautiful place has such economic and social issues.

[monkey]

Be safe TT.... let us know how things go on your departure tomorrow. Hearing stories like that make me even more thankful to be living in Canada.

Canada is a great place, yes... but when in comes to culture, music and people... places like Brazil (South Am. in general) parts of europe and eastern beat Canada by far.

Having travelled quite a bit, it always astonishes me how happy people are without all those things that we consider a necessity...(security, health care, out daily luxuries... )

[bcaamuscle]

I know some people here that were going to mexico for a vacation, I told them they were cracked..they had no idea about the conflict going on down there..can't imagine being so oblivious