“Welcome to Hell”? Assessing Rio's Crime Threats

Amid an increase in violent crime and a deepening economic crisis, Brazilian officials will secure Rio de Janeiro during the Olympics with the deployment of 87,000 soldiers and police. This deployment is likely to include the temporary occupation of several of Rio’s large favela neighbourhoods to fend off organised criminal violence during the Games. Although levels of violent crime have already decreased as a result of these measures, visitors and athletes remain at risk of express kidnappings and opportunistic street crime. 

Rio state authorities warned in June that they would not be able to guarantee security at the Olympics in light of several security budget cuts due to a worsening economic crisis. Although local authorities have since been given an economic lifeline via a USD 850 million federal government emergency loan, there is still widespread concern that foreign tourists and athletes will not be safe. Indeed, with shootouts between police and organised crime groups occurring almost daily in the months prior to the Games, Rio is undoubtedly experiencing one of its worst security crises in recent years. The problem has only been compounded by ongoing police strikes in the city over pay disputes. Posters held up by disgruntled police officers at Rio’s airports with the greeting “Welcome to Hell”, have incited further fear.

Since the start of 2016, there has been a significant spike in violent crime in the city. Homicides have increased by 15 percent since January, with almost 2,000 murders reported. These deaths predominantly relate to turf wars between organised crime groups, as well as shootouts between police officers and criminals. Whilst incidents typically occur in the city’s hilltop favelas, violent crime often spills over into wealthier neighbourhoods, as well as areas frequented by tourists and athletes. A number of street shootouts between organised crime groups and police have occurred in the vicinity of Olympic venues, airports, metro stations, and iconic tourist sites. Armed muggings have also increased in 2016; so far, Spanish and Australian athletes have been mugged in broad daylight in Rio’s southern neighbourhoods, considered some of the city’s safest. 

Despite the city’s ongoing security crisis, a temporary lull in violent crime is expected during the Olympics. With the deployment of a large security force contingent during the Games, there has already been a notable decrease in violent crime in the city. Organised crime groups have reportedly receded into the city’s favelas, where foreign tourists and athletes are unlikely to travel. However, street crime, typically perpetrated by common criminals and small criminal gangs, is likely to remain a persistent and widespread threat during the Games. Foreigners, particularly those demonstrating poor situational awareness or openly displaying valuables, are likely to be targeted in bag-snatching, pickpocketing, or opportunistic mugging incidents.

Visitors also remain at risk of express kidnappings in the city. This type of kidnapping continues to occur regularly in Rio, targeting businesspeople, athletes, politicians and tourists alike, even in the city’s wealthy neighbourhoods, such as Barra da Tijuca. Small criminal gangs are the most common perpetrators. However, corrupt police officers have also been known to target unsuspecting foreign nationals. For example, in late July, a New Zealand athlete was express kidnapped on the outskirts of the city by corrupt police officers who briefly detained him and forced him to withdraw large amounts of cash at two ATMs. 

To combat crime, the Rio government will rely on the sheer number of soldiers and police officers deployed in the city. This should keep larger and more violent organised crime groups at bay in their favela strongholds, at least temporarily. However, foreign nationals should remain vigilant and alert to the persistent threat of street crime and express kidnapping in the city.