‘They’re to put the brakes on cops’: Rio barricades turn favelas into fortresses
The GuardianWednesday, August 6, 2025 at 7:00:50 AM
In Rio de Janeiro's favelas, police are dismantling barricades erected by criminal groups, while a local artist is transforming these barriers into symbols of peace. The scene is tense, with armed drug dealers and crime bosses openly operating in the shadows, yet the atmosphere remains oddly calm.
Editor’s Note: This story highlights the ongoing struggle between law enforcement and criminal networks in Rio's favelas, where violence and control are part of daily life. The artist's efforts to repurpose barricades as art offer a glimmer of hope, but the underlying issues of crime and instability remain deeply entrenched. It matters because it shows both the resilience of communities and the persistent challenges in achieving safety and peace in marginalized urban areas.
— Curated by the World Pulse Now AI Editorial System
