Country Profile for BRAZIL

Alert for Brazil

Two football fans shot dead near World Cup stadium - 15 April 2013:

Two football fans have been shot dead by rival supporters outside the Arena Castelao World Cup stadium in north-eastern Brazil.  It was reported in the local media that Ceara fans sparked the unrest when they started throwing stones at Fortaleza supporters.  Brazil is preparing to host the 2014 World Cup, as well as the 2016 Olympic Games.

Police officers arrested in murder probe - 1 April 2013:

Eight Brazilian military police officers have been arrested after the fatal shooting of two teenagers in Sao Paolosao was broadcast on television.  Globo TV aired CCTV footage of two armed men shooting dead two teenagers at close range, while a military police vehicle was stationed nearby.  Prosecutors say the police did not attempt to prevent the shooting or pursue the killers.

US woman sexually assaulted in Rio de Janeiro - 1 April 2013:

A US woman has been raped by three men during a three hour ordeal in the Copacabana district of Rio de Janeiro.  The attackers beat the woman and tied up her companion, a French citizen, before forcing them to withdraw money at an ATM.  They were finally released at a bus station on the outskirts of the city.

Landslides kill 16 in Petropolis - 19 March 2013:

At least 16 people have been killed in mudslides triggered by heavy rainfall in the town of Petropolis, located 30km north of Rio de Janeiro.  A month's rain fell within the space of 24 hours in the town, where more than 900 people died in flooding in 2011.

Health minister confirms dengue fever outbreak - 26 February 2013:

Brazil's Health Minister Alexandre Padilha has confirmed that there is an outbreak of dengue fever in the country.  The number of reported cases in the start of 2013 was 190 percent up on the same period last year.  The southern state of Mato Grosso has been hardest hit, with at least 42,015 cases.

Night club fire leaves 245 dead in Santa Maria - 27 January 2013:

At least 245 people have been killed in a fire at a night club in the southern city of Santa Maria.  The fire at the Kiss nightclub reportedly started when the singer of a band set off fireworks.

Dengue fever outbreak in Campo Grande - 21 January 2013:

Around 600 residents are reported to have contracted dengue fever in the southern city of Campo Grande.  Recent heavy rains have increased the number of disease carrying mosquitoes in the area.

Three teenagers shot dead in Minas Gerais - 19 January 2013:

Three Brazilian teenagers have been killed after gunmen opened fire on a samba school in the eastern state of Minas Gerais.  The victims were practising for a carnival in the city of Sao Joao Del Rei when they were attacked by four men on motorbikes.

Six killed in Sao Paolo bar shooting - 07 January 2013:

At least six people have been killed in a shooting at a bar in restive city of Sao Paulo.  Police said the incident took place in the early hours at the Campo Limpo bar in the south side of the city.

Rio police arrested for receiving gang bribes - 04 December 2012:

Investigators in Rio de Janeiro have arrested 63 police officers accused of taking bribes from local drug gangs.  It has also been alleged that the police sold weapons to the main criminal group - the Red Command.

Mass protest held in Rio de Janeiro over oil revenue plan - 27 November 2012:

Around 200,000 people have gathered in Rio de Janeiro to protest against a government bill which will distribute oil revenues more evenly between producing and non-producing states.  Local politicians claim the move would cost Rio around $1.7bn in 2013 and jeopardise the states ability to host the World Cup in 2014.

Police launch Sao Paolo crackdown - 06 November 2012:

Police in Brazil have launched a new operation aimed at combating rising violence in the city of Sao Paolo.  At least 90 police officers have been killed in the city so far this year, most of which by the First Command of the Capital gang.

Police in Rio favela drug raid - 14 October 2012:

Police supported by armoured cars and helicopters have moved to take control of two notorious Rio de Janeiro favelas.  The Jacarezinho and Manguinhos slums are known as areas for the trafficking of crack cocaine.

EU diplomat kidnapped in Brazil - 03 October 2012:

An Italian member of the European Union's diplomatic team was the victim of an express kidnapping in Brasilia.  Local police confirmed that the victim was abducted by two armed men in the affluent Asa Sul district of the capital before being taken to the poor suburb of Ceilandia.

Seven arrested from Sao Paulo kidnapping gang - 01 August 2012:

Seven youths have been arrested in connection with a series of express kidnappings in the city of Sao Paulo.  The accused, aged between 18 and 21, are said to be part of a 16-member gang operating in the city's southern Brooklin district.

Gunmen kill eight during football celebrations - 12 July 2012:

Eight people have been shot dead in greater Sao Paulo during celebrations by football supporters.  Unknown gunmen opened fire indiscriminately on crowds in several parts of Osasco after local team Palmerias had won the Brazilian Cup final.  

Indigenous group attack police station in Jacareacanga - 04 July 2012:

A group of indigenous Munduruku people have attacked a police station in the northern town of Jacareacanga.  Police said that the attack was related to the murder of a Munduruku man in June, and the subsequent decision of a judge to release two of the four suspects.

Journalist shot dead in Maranhao state - 25 April 2012:

A political journalist has been shot dead in the north-eastern state of Maranhao.  His murder has been linked to his newspapers critical coverage of political corruption in the state.  He is the fourth journalist to be killed in Brazil in 2012.

Hotel guests robbed in Rio de Janeiro - 18 July 2011:

A group of armed men have robbed guests at a luxury hotel in Rio de Janeiro, taking money and personal possessions from at least 10 guests.  Security camera footage showed four men climbing over a perimeter wall before entering the Santa Teresa Hotel in central Rio.

Flooding death toll rises to 500 - 14 January 2011:

More that 500 people are now reported to have been killed in the severe floods which have affected the south-east of the country.

Flooding leaves over 100 people dead in south-east Brazil - 12 January 2011:

Floods and landslides near Rio de Janeiro have killed over 100 people with dozens more still missing.  At least 89 people were killed by landslides in Teresopolis, around 100km north of Rio, due to extremely heavy rainfall in the region. 

Escalating gang violence in Rio de Janeiro - 23 November 2010:

There has been a significant increase in violent gang activity in recent days in the favelas surrounding Rio de Janeiro.  Additional military police have been deployed to tackle the violence which has seen armed gangs setting up roadblocks around the city and robbing motorists.

Brazil Data Sheet

Population: 193.9 million

Major Religion/s: : Christianity

International dialling code: +55

International dialling prefix: 0021

Emergency services: Police 190, Medical 192, Fire 193

Drives: Right

Voltage: 110/220V

Climate: Varies from tropical, sub-tropical, temperate and semi-arid

Other Major Cities: Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Belo Horizonte

Borders: Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay

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