InfoSur Hoy

Taking back the Complexo da Penha favelas

2012-06-08

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For more than 30 years members of the criminal organization Comando Vermelho (CV), in Rio de Janeiro’s Complexo da Penha and Complexo do Alemão, controlled life in the favelas and prevented government involvement. "After the successful takeover in November 2010 of Complexo do Alemão by Brazilian security forces, Operation Arcanjo VII was implemented to restore peace in Complexo da Penha. The photo essay shows how the Brazilian security forces changed the face of one of the areas in Brazil most impacted by drug trafficking in recent years." Shown: The Complexo do Alemão Cable Car, located next to Complexo da Penha, was inaugurated in July 2011 by Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff. It’s the first cable car for public transportation in Brazil and was modeled after the cable cars in Colombia. (Wagner Assis/Infosurhoy.com)

Brazilian military patrol the peaceful streets of Complexo da Penha. Life has returned to normal for residents. (Wagner Assis/Infosurhoy.com)

Col. Fernando Montenegro, commander of Operation Arcanjo VII, stands guard in a favela. Shown, the Peacekeeping Force symbol on Com. Aranjo’s uniform. (Wagner Assis/Infosurhoy.com)

The tangled wires reveal how drug dealers stole both public and private utilities and, even though they never paid for it, they charged local residents for electricity, cable, telephone and other services. (Wagner Assis/Infosurhoy.com)

The local commerce, previously controlled by drug dealers, is once again business as usual with the Brazilian military’s presence. (Wagner Assis/Infosurhoy.com)

Children and young students roam freely through the streets of Complexo da Penha, which was unthinkable a few months ago. (Wagner Assis/Infosurhoy.com)

The Igreja da Penha (Penha Church), a popular tourist destination in Rio de Janeiro, controlled for years by drug dealers, now welcomes tourists from all parts of Brazil and the world, typically arriving by motorcycle taxis operated by local residents. (Wagner Assis/Infosurhoy.com)