Brazil forces take over Rio slum

Reports from Rio de Janeiro this Sunday are saying that Brazilian police and army have have taken control of the Complexo do Alemao slum. The move came after hundreds of heavily armed suspected drug traffickers were warned to surrender and avoid clashes with authorities. Brazil forces take over Rio slum The BBC reports that exchanges of fire were heard near the favela, and puts the number of troops engaged at around 2,600 police and army, backed by armored vehicles and helicopters. Chief of Rio de Janeiro military police Mario Sergio Duarte was quoted as saying that police had taken control over the slum, while other sources stated that the entire complex was not yet taken over. The current trouble began last week after armed gangs set up roadblocks in key areas of the city. AP reported at the time that they including a highway leading to the international airport, and avenue running by the state government's headquarters. The gangs reacted to increased efforts to make the city safer ahead of the World Cup in 2014 and Olympic Games in 2016. Police then responded by invading more than 20 slums where drug lords ruled with impunity, and engaging traffickers in massive shootouts, while reports mention that dozens of people have been killed. The BBC reports that human rights organization Amnesty International have accused Brazilian police of being "heavy-handed". See more photos A Rio police officer in the Alemao complex this Sunday (Beta/AP)

Brazil forces take over Rio slum

The BBC reports that exchanges of fire were heard near the favela, and puts the number of troops engaged at around 2,600 police and army, backed by armored vehicles and helicopters.

Chief of Rio de Janeiro military police Mario Sergio Duarte was quoted as saying that police had taken control over the slum, while other sources stated that the entire complex was not yet taken over.

The current trouble began last week after armed gangs set up roadblocks in key areas of the city. AP reported at the time that they including a highway leading to the international airport, and avenue running by the state government's headquarters.

The gangs reacted to increased efforts to make the city safer ahead of the World Cup in 2014 and Olympic Games in 2016.

Police then responded by invading more than 20 slums where drug lords ruled with impunity, and engaging traffickers in massive shootouts, while reports mention that dozens of people have been killed.

The BBC reports that human rights organization Amnesty International have accused Brazilian police of being "heavy-handed".

See more photos