BBC: Nine killed in Rio slum shoot-out

[Eugene]

Last Updated: Monday, 12 February 2007, 01:07 GMT

Nine killed in Rio slum shoot-out
By Steve Kingstone
BBC News, Sao Paulo

Nine people have been shot dead in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro,
in a continuing struggle for control of the city's "favelas" or shantytowns.

In recent months some favelas have been taken over by militias - consisting
of retired and off-duty police officers.

They offer to rid communities of drug gangs in return for protection money.

-snip-

The police say five heavily armed men tried to retake control of a favela
in the north of the city.

They exchanged fire with local militia, and were later shot dead by uniformed
police.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6352759.stm

[aquart]

1. "Control of the shantytowns."

Because it's all they have.

[cliss]

2. I was just talking to a friend the other day

about travelling to Brazil. He said,

"there are some parts of Rio De Janeiro that if you go there, you will NOT come out alive".

He meant that some barrios are so dangerous, that if an american comes driving in with a rental car, they will take the car & its driver and everything in it. "Law of the Jungle" Baby.

[Duer 157099]

3. I think the film "City of God" is about that

very, very depressing