Troops Return Slums to the State

With helicopters and armored vehicles at the ready, three thousand troops occupied Rio de Janerio’s largest slum, Rochina, to seize drug gangs and bring security to the area. This occupation is a notable crucial step in the preparations for the 2014 Fifa World cup and the 2016 Olympics. Troops before have occupied many slums before in the past couple years, but none as notable as Rochina. The occupation of the area was declared a success just two hours after the occupation had begun at 4 am. No resistance was made, but one person detained; the operation was considered a smooth process. Residents were clearly happy and ready to embrace the new differences and have more secure living conditions. Sergio Pimental had much to say about the occupation, “Let’s hope for the best, but there’s a lot more that needs to be done…We need basic sanitation, health, education. They have not come in with everything, not just the police.” Rochina is often known as the largest slum in Latin America and is also known as the main drug distribution point in Brazil’s second largest cities. In the process of the occupation of Rio de Janerio’s largest slum, police were able to capture many well known drug bosses as well as the slum’s alleged top drug lord.  After the troop’s occupation of Rochina, Rio authorities are following up this invasion by handing slums over to specially trained community police and providing these slums with needs such as health centers and electricity supply. The residents of Rochina are satisfied with the newly developing growth of the slum, but are still striving for a safer environment to raise their families.

In my personal opinion, I find the troops occupations of Rochina a great feat. Many people living in these slums have limited opportunities in life, and cleaning up these slums will widen these opportunities. These streets are engulfed with crime, drugs, and harmful living conditions. With the clean up, many top drug dealers are being putting away as well, to help slow down crime in the slums. This clean up also brings health centers and electricity supplies, which is a great improvement in the slums. I think that the occupations of these slums are great positive movements to improving the quality of life for those that have little. I think that these people living in the slums deserve better lives, and the fact that now something is being done to improve their conditions is great. I fully support the invasions. I am as well glad and hopeful for further occupations of near by slums. However, a simple clean up may not bring these slums to the point where they need to be. Years of work and production to these slums can surely make a large difference, but many residents can't wait. Many residents can't wait for years to receive the dire medical attention that they need today. Soon I hope that these slums will turn into something great. I strongly support these occupations, they are a great start to many new lives of the residents of these slums.

SOURCE: Vancouver Sun, monday November 14, 2011 B5

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Troops+return+slums+state/5706032/story.html

By Stuart Grudgings, Reuters