‘Gentrification through pacification’

Rio de Janeiro has engaged in an ambitious security operation aimed at freeing its favelas from the control of gangs in time for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics. To do so, the state of Rio de Janeiro has engaged in an ambitious favela-clearing program called “pacification” or UPP (for Pacification Police Units), which involves retaking territories through invasions led either by SWAT-like units or the military itself, and subsequently handing daily policing to community police forces while bringing much-needed public services to the area. But security is not the only rationale behind the program. As with everything, economic interests and international exposure drive Rio’s makeover. In 2012, the Award-winning National Geographic correspondent Mariana van Zeller (Muck Media) produced a Vanguard documentary for Current TV. Here where she investigates Brazil’s controversial new plan to clean up Rio de Janeiro’s crime-ridden favelas before the country hosts both mayor events. WATCH FULL DOC HERE. For more of Muck’s award winning work go HERE. Photo credit Muck Media.