Drug lords closed shops and bars in Ipanema and Copacabana

Friday, around 9 pm, drug lords from the Comando Vermelho ordered to shut down all the commercials in Ipanema and Copacabana. (Ipanema and Copacbana are quite touristy and wealthy regions, with favelas “right behind the corners”). Reason for that is probably the death of a “traficante” who was killed during an operation of the police in a favela. Testimonials say that three women send by the drug lords ordered to close the shops and bars, which are usually open till sunrise…but this Friday they closed immediately. Most of them are afraid of the drug lords and don’t trust in the police. The pubs send all their clients home, people on the street were anxious about going home walking on the streets, because streets fights between the police and the drug lords happen very often, and every day innocent people die because of “balas perdidas” (“lost bullets”). This order came from the drug lords in the favela to protest against the police, and to demonstrate the power they have. Good enough that I was too tired and exhausted to go out that night, I sometimes frequent this zone because it is very close to where I live.

As they also shut down some shops here in Copacabana, I really hope that the promised reinforcement of policemen will control this zone here. The officials decided to send more policemen to our region to keep it peaceful because the drug lords threatened again to burn down public buses. So in order to that I am going to avoid certain streets and buses that are close to the favela.

Interestingly enough for me was the fact that the killed drug lord was actually supposed to be in prison. Robson Roque da Cunha, “Caveirinha” was punished to be imprisoned for 45 years because of committing homicides and kidnapping. He controlled the selling of drugs in various favelas, was part of the “Commando Vermelha” and is said to having killed another drug lord, Dênis da Rocinha. He was also being accused of initiating the horrible bus-attack on the 28th of December 2006, where a group of bandidos burned two buses and killed several innocents. Some months ago he ordered the “traficantes” to commit more robberies on the streets of Copacabana.
I said that he was supposed to be in prison, because in fact he was not anymore. After visiting his family he did not return to prison. I don’t have enough information about the system in prisons in Rio de Janeiro, but I deeply doubt that it is a good idea to let an imprisoned drug lord visit his family. And trust him that he will be back.
Actually a lot of crimes are being organized by people in prison, and I guess with some little exceptions, arrested persons still possess their mobile phone. Drug lords have a huge network, and if one of them end up in prison, all the “traficantes” try their best to provide him with everything they need. Like if it was a family member.

Today is Sunday, everything seems quiet, but until now I don’t see more policemen than usually. On Monday I usually work in Ipanema in a school in the favela who is probably involved in this protest, so I will see if it is save enough to go there tomorrow.

Violence is definitely part of every-day-life in Rio de Janeiro, and I am happy that the worst thing until now that happened “to me” was a robbery I was testifying. A man next to me on the street in Copacabana has been robbed and it all ended up in a big chaos. I immediately turned around and continued my way home. Even though nothing had happened to me, I was very frightened.

I guess I will spend the rest of the day washing my clothes (which takes some time because I wash them with hands) and by going to the beach. Maybe I will attend a party in a favela with another Brazilian who knows these communities. All by myself I would never enter them because it is too dangerous. But I am still not sure about that. All I need now is to rest a bit and gain some energy for the upcoming week.