Pacification Force in the Complexo do Alemão, photo credit: Ultimo Segundo
This November marked the one-year anniversary of the military invasion of the Complexo do Alemão. After a violent beginning, the so-called “War for Rio,” the occupation of Alemão has been relatively peaceful, excepting a few clashes between soldiers and traffickers in September 2011. Although the Army was scheduled to withdraw in October, Governor Sérgio Cabral requested an extension to plan the installation of eight Police Pacification Units; the Army will remain in the region until June 2012. This week security officials discussed the price of the occupation thus far.
Translation of article “Ocupação do Complexo do Alemão já custou atê R$160 milhões.” Published in O Globo on November 28, 2011.
RIO – The Pacification Force, made up of army officers, occupied the Alemão and Penha complexes exactly a year ago on Monday. The Force has already cost the Ministry of Defense between R$150 and R$160 million [between USD 85 and 90 million]. This information was released on Monday by the commander of the Eastern Military Command (Comando Militar do Leste, or CML), General Adriano Pereira Júnior. Without discussing expenditures in detail, the general said that part of the money was spent on equipment.
