Last night, Brazilians celebrated into the wee hours. Millions partied in Rio De Janeiro after the IOC (International Olympic Committee) awarded the nation “host city” status for the 2016 Summer Games.
But, did it deserve that prestigious award?
Hidden from Brazil’s white beaches has been global scorn for a society “dirty secret”. Despite enjoying lavish hotels and the spectacular nightlife, tourists have been mugged, robbed, kidnapped and in some cases killed by criminals prowling Rio’s downtown and nightclub districts.
Another dirty society lied in the thousands of homeless children and young teens on the streets. Many have sold their bodies and committed petty crimes to feed their variety of habits. Others turned to working for drug gangs and local cartels as extorts and “hit men”. For a decade, Rio’s murder rate rivaled that of Bogota (Colombia) in highest per capita.
Government authorities responded to the brutal, street crimes with unbridled viciousness. Off-duty policemen have employed themselves as contract killers to exterminate the homeless. Sometimes, policemen themselves paid criminals for contract hits. Elimination by subtracting the homeless population lowered Rio’s petty crime numbers. But, the move brought scrutiny from Amnesty International and other human rights groups.
A few years ago, TIME magazine did an expose on Brazil’s street murders. One 20 year old man confessed to selling drugs in the day and committing murders at night. He also confessed to receiving payment for killings by both police and drug gangs. More criminals did what he did. Bodies were found in dumpsters, alleys and sewers. The poor, the homeless and the neglected died as unwilling scapegoats for Rio’s Olympic dreams.
