About 1,000 Brazilian troops and police officers backed by armored vehicles have entered a vast slum complex of shantytowns near Rio de Janeiro's airport.
The Sunday invasion of the Mare favela is the latest effort of the government's "pacification'' program intended to secure Rio before this year's World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.
The Mare slum is a drug-trafficking stronghold that is considered one of the most dangerous places in the city.
The security effort began in 2008 and has created 37 police "pacification'' outposts in Rio de Janeiro.
The Sunday invasion of the Mare favela is the latest effort of the government's "pacification'' program intended to secure Rio before this year's World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.
The Mare slum is a drug-trafficking stronghold that is considered one of the most dangerous places in the city.
The security effort began in 2008 and has created 37 police "pacification'' outposts in Rio de Janeiro.