You must have rocks in your head if you go to Rio

[EE_]

Crime in Rio Gets Even Worse, Just in Time for the Olympics
Jonathan Levin
July 13, 2016 — 11:00 PM EDT Updated on July 14, 2016 — 10:37 AM EDT

Brazil’s list of pre-Olympic woes is getting longer. In addition to a political system in chaos, an economy in crippling recession and a public health crisis around Zika virus, new data suggests petty crime in Rio de Janeiro is on the rise.

Muggings rose 14 percent city-wide from January to May, according to the most recent data. In parts of the city, it’s been much worse: The region that includes downtown business district is reporting a 26 percent increase in street crime. In and around the Copacabana beach area, it’s up 44 percent.

Rio has long been notorious for purse-snatching, pick-pocketing and mobile phone theft. More than 48,700 muggings took place in Rio last year, nearly three times the number reported by New York, which has 30 percent more residents. A slew of YouTube videos capture some of the brazen muggings that take place downtown on a regular basis.

Olympians have not been immune, and recent assaults have brought new attention to the city’s crime. A group of Spanish sailors were assaulted at gunpoint while they were training on-site in May. The Australian Olympic team called on the Rio 2016 organizing committee to increase security for athletes after a pair of Paralympics athletes were mugged in June.

The authorities have promised to protect the expected influx of hundreds of thousands of Olympic visitors by putting 85,000 police and military personnel in important corridors, venues and tourist areas. Soldiers in camouflage fatigues have already been stationed at places like the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon, where rowing events will take place and a known target for small-scale criminals.

It’s less clear how they will guarantee the safety of those who wander off the beaten path and Cariocas who live outside Olympic areas.

"Paradoxically, the situation may worsen" for some locals, said Robert Muggah, a security analyst at the Igarape Institute in Rio de Janeiro. "We’re going to see a significant police redeployment from some of these hot-spot areas."

Petty crime aside, Rio is a far less violent place than it used to be, and one of the Brazil’s safer cities when it comes to violent crime. The murder rate in the capital dropped by about half to 18.5 per 100,000 people in the last decade, making it safer, statistically speaking, than New Orleans or St. Louis.

The drop corresponded in part with an economic boom that lifted tens of millions of Brazilians out of poverty. It also coincided with the rise of a program of aggressive policing in the the poor, hillside communities known as favelas. Those efforts often resulted in violent confrontations between gang members and police, and the program, known as pacification, has been losing popular support amid concerns about police brutality. A Human Rights Watch report last week said police in Rio state have killed more than 8,000 people in the past decade, many of them in the informal settlements.

"We need real political courage to take on structural reforms," said Muggah, the security expert. "Public security is a holistic exercise. It requires a huge investment in prevention, as well as law enforcement."

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-14/street-crime-in-rio-gets-worse-just-in-time-for-the-olympics

[EE_]

The world is a mess...

Venezuela army deployed to control food production and distribution
13 July 2016

Queues are now commonplace outside the shops in Venezuela

Venezuela's military has taken control of five ports in an effort to guarantee supplies of food and medicine.

In a decree, President Nicolas Maduro has ordered the army to monitor food processing plants, and co-ordinate the production and distribution of items.

Venezuela is going through a deep economic crisis despite having the world's largest oil reserves.

Basic products are increasingly hard to find and many say they struggle to feed their families.

The Venezuelan Bishops Conference said the rise of the military is a "threat to tranquillity and peace".

Mr Maduro says the measure is to fight the "economic war" he claims is being waged against his government by political foes and businessmen, with US backing.

But the opposition says the government has mismanaged the economy, and has called for a referendum to oust the president.

What has gone wrong in Venezuela?

Venezuelans flock to Colombia for food

What is behind the shortages?

Venezuela grows and produces very little except oil and has historically relied on imports to feed its people

Oil prices have plummeted leaving the government with a shortfall of income

A lack of dollars means it is struggling to import all the goods its people need and want

The socialist government introduced price controls on some basic goods in 2003 to make them affordable to the poor

But up to 40% of subsidised goods were smuggled across to Colombia to be sold at a profit
Venezuela: Economy on the brink?

Mr Maduro announced on state television that the ports of Guanta, La Guaira, Puerto Cabello, Maracaibo and Guamache would be controlled by the army.

He created a government initiative called Great Mission of Sovereign Supplying, which will be headed by the country's Defence Minister, General Vladimir Padrino.
Among other things, it can establish how purchases and distribution of food, medicine and household goods are made.

Meanwhile, Mr Maduro accused Citibank of mounting a "financial blockade" on the country, after the US bank decided to close the government's international payments account with it.

Citibank said the decision followed a "periodic risk management review", but did not explain further. It would be implemented within 30 days, it added.

Due to strict currency controls in place since 2003, the Venezuelan government relies on Citibank for foreign currency transactions.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-36776991

[cheka.]

I move that brazil and Venezuela merge into one entity. Too hard trying to sort these stories. Brazuela sounds good

[Glass]

Brazil is basically lawless. If you see any of the live leak stuff you see that it is a war zone. Gangs wandering through the slums fully armed with auto weapons. The gang battles are brutal. People being jacked of their cars and motorbikes. People who are attacked coming and going from their garages. People attacked at the fuel bowser or standing in line at the bank or store.

There seems to be a lot of cops in Brazil and they don't hesitate to unload, on duty or off duty as do regular people who are lucky enough to be armed. I don't know what local laws are on firearms for the people but it is not a place I would want to visit. Far to dangerous.

I think these games will be a shambles and I hate to say it but anyone who participates in the olympics gets what they deserve.

[monty]

Brazil is basically lawless. If you see any of the live leak stuff you see that it is a war zone. Gangs wandering through the slums fully armed with auto weapons. The gang battles are brutal. People being jacked of their cars and motorbikes. People who are attacked coming and going from their garages. People attacked at the fuel bowser or standing in line at the bank or store.

There seems to be a lot of cops in Brazil and they don't hesitate to unload, on duty or off duty as do regular people who are lucky enough to be armed. I don't know what local laws are on firearms for the people but it is not a place I would want to visit. Far to dangerous.

I think these games will be a shambles and I hate to say it but anyone who participates in the olympics gets what they deserve.


I have heard similar reports about 10 years ago. I don't think the lawlessness is anything new.

[Glass]

I have heard similar reports about 10 years ago. I don't think the lawlessness is anything new.

I agree, never said it was new, but to host the games there is deliberately reckless don't you think? It's clear they have no concern for the well being of the participants. The show must go.... where ever we tell it to go. People who give energy to it might find they give everything to it, including life itself.

[monty]

I thought it was a poor choice because of the dangers there. With the current financial and political mess it may be worse.

[Horn]

I could be mistaken, but when it comes to an influx of inflated dough, fleets of salchicha vendors and anxious taxis drivers will defend peaceful transfers of dollars to their pockets and Trump weight over any criminal elements.

Electricity and clean water might be a thing to watch vanish though.

[Glass]

I could be mistaken, but when it comes to an influx of inflated dough, fleets of salchicha vendors and anxious taxis drivers will defend peaceful transfers of dollars to their pockets and Trump weight over any criminal elements.

Electricity and clean water might be a thing to watch vanish though.


yes but olympic games never make a profit. the country has to pay for the stadiums and hosting the competitors and always ends up with debt for many years afterwards. the people get told they have these great world class facilities as a result but they pay through the nose for generations. And in Brazil that money could be better spent.

[Horn]

Like a party with no beer and only hard liquor - supreme hangover in the morning, for sure the aftermath could get nasty.

They're fairly efficient though from what I've seen and most likely just boohooin for more dough from somewhere as an excuse. my guess is it flies without a hitch.


The murder rate in the capital dropped by about half to 18.5 per 100,000 people in the last decade, making it safer, statistically speaking, than New Orleans or St. Louis.

[Tumbleweed]

A Brazilian soccer fan

8337

[EE_]

A Brazilian soccer fan

8337

I've been told by some people that have traveled to Rio, to watch out for the women with the best legs...they're usually men. Just sayn'...

Sounds like people go to the Olympics for sex more then for the games? ---> http://buzznigeria.com/prostitutes-offer-supermarket-sex-sales/

Brazilian Prostitutes Prepare for Rio Olympics With Discounts
By Jaime Lopez – July 4, 2016

Just like during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Brazil is ready to receive thousands of athletes, journalists, athletic support staff, sports fans, and sexual tourists. The occasion this time happens to be the already controversial 2016 Olympics, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro, a city that has become synonymous with sexual tourism in the Americas.

According to a recent news report filed by Matt Roper of The Daily Mail (UK), prostitutes in Rio are holding a fire sale in anticipation of the Olympics, which are just a few weeks away. The deep discounts have prices running as low as $25 for a threesome session; this sharp lowering of prices comes after what working women call a disappointing World Cup two years ago.

A flyer being distributed in Rio is inviting Olympic athletes to take advantage of “early bird” specials. It so happens that Villa Mimosa, a notorious red light district in Rio, is located not far from the Olympic Village where many athletes will be staying. As can be expected, the flyer is printed in English and features the Olympics colorful, five-ring logo.

The low turnout of sexual tourists in Villa Mimosa during the World Cup was blamed on the escort services that deliver call girls directly to hotel rooms in the tourist districts near the beaches. These services, which charge considerably more than Villa Mimosa, offer safety and discretion.

A veteran prostitute quoted in The Daily Mail explained that working girls did all they could to entice football fans during the World Cup, but only a few visitors from Argentina and Uruguay showed up to press for bargains.

As previously reported by The Costa Rica Star, the Justice Ministry of Brazil has been targeting sex tourism and blocked 2,165 websites operating in different countries between 2012 and 2014. However, the number of sites still in operation exceeds those blocked by the Ministry.
http://news.co.cr/brazilian-prostitutes-prepare-rio-olympics-discounts/48548/

Rio prostitutes offering 'early bird' special to Olympic athletes, visitors (STD's are Free!)
Published July 05, 2016Fox News Latino

Female prostitutes walk the streets of the red light district, Vila Mimosa. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (2009 GETTY IMAGES)
Disappointed by the low number of customers who turned up in Rio de Janeiro’s red light district during the 2014 World Cup, prostitutes in the Olympic host city are offering athletes and visitors an “early bird” special ahead of the games.

A flier that has been circulating around Rio ahead of the August games shows threesomes going for as low as $25 and an hour with one girl costing a little more than $18.

Streetwalkers in the city’s notorious Vila Mimosa red light district, despite high hopes of big business, saw little action during the World Cup.

Many of the prostitutes blame the rise of escort services that deliver girls to a patron’s hotel, and Vila Mimosa’s reputation for criminal activity as the reason that customers stayed away.

“We were all expecting so much from the World Cup, because everyone told us demand would be huge. We all thought we'd make a fortune,” 39-year-old prostitute Aline Docinha told the Daily Mail.

“But hardly anyone turned up. During the World Cup the road was virtually empty. I think the foreigners were scared to come to a place like this, which isn't close to the beaches or hotels. And they were probably afraid of catching something too,” she said. “There were a few Argentinians and Uruguayans, but they didn't have much money and tried to bargain right down. Even our regular Brazilian clients didn't show up, they were too interested in watching the football.”

Docincha told the U.K. publication, “But this time around, we're under no illusions. We know we'll be forgotten during the Olympics, just like we were during the World Cup.”

That’s why the flier – which is printed in English and features the famous Olympic rings – is meant to draw early visitors to the city who are looking for a good time.

Docinha added that Vila Mimosa’s sprawling complex of bars and nightclubs is a marketplace for sex, where tourists can shop for whatever they are looking for.

“There are women here for every taste – black, white, chubby, mature, whatever you like. You can walk around and take your time until you find the one you like the most,” she said. “And just like any supermarket, we've now got some great deals and we're cutting our prices. There's no other place in Rio like it. Take a bit of time while you're here to come.”

The district, which has been in constant operation since World War I, when single Eastern European migrants resorted to prostitution in order to make ends meet, is located less than a mile the Maracanã soccer stadium where the Olympics' opening ceremony is to take place on Aug. 5.

Besides the escort service business – which customers claim is safer, if more expensive – prostitutes in Vila Mimosa say that Brazil’s worsening financial crisis has cut down on customers, but also driven more girls into the business.

“It's never been this bad, and most of the women here are desperate. But few of us think anything will come of the Olympics. We're all worried that business will grind to a halt like it did during the World Cup,” Gabriela Alves said. “The clientele has decreased, and competition's increased.”

Prostitution is legal in Brazil, but it is illegal to operate a brothel or to employ prostitutes. That, however, has not stopped places like Rio’s Centaurus from becoming known worldwide as places where celebrities (i.e., Justin Bieber) and the moneyed elite spend their time.
http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/lifestyle/2016/07/05/rio-prostitutes-offering-early-bird-special-to-olympic-athletes-visitors/