A battle for one of Rio de Janeiro’s most lawless slums ended after 2,000 Brazilian military and police, supported by 23 armoured vehicles, took control of the Complexo de Alemão favela.
The action came after a week in which more than 45 people were killed and more than 100 vehicles burnt. The Complexo de Alemão, a centre for crime and drug trafficking, was sealed off for two days. About 600 bandits were believed to be hiding in the favela, some holding families hostage. Some are thought to have escaped through sewers.
Rodrigo Oliveira, of Rio’s Civil Police, said: “The territory will never be given back to criminals.”
During the stand-off, gunmen with their faces painted black and dressed in fatigues walked the favela waving their