For decades, Rio de Janeiro’s sprawling favelas (slums) have been under the control of heavily armed drug gangs. But now, the government of Brazil wants to take them back, and reform one of the world’s most unequal and violent cities. The plan is part of a bold new initiative to give Brazil’s most picturesque city a facelift before the world turns its eyes on the country for the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016. Correspondent Mariana van Zeller finds out that the traditional rulers of Rio’s favelas are not ceding control without a fight. The government of Brazil has promised to continue its campaign, and provide a blueprint for one of the most pressing and perplexing questions in our increasingly urban world: how to transform, develop and integrate sprawling, often crime-ridden slums.
‘City of God, Guns & Gangs’
City of God, Guns & Gangs
Mariana van Zeller investigates Brazil’s bold new initiative to transform Rio de Janeiro’s dangerous slums (called favelas) before the country hosts the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics. watch video
City of God, Guns and Gangs: ‘Vanguard’ Trailer
In “City of God, Guns & Gangs,” Vanguard correspondent Mariana van Zeller investigates Brazil’s bold new initiative to transform Rio de Janeiro’s dangerous slums (called favelas) before the country hosts the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics. watch video
City of God, Guns and Gangs: ‘Vanguard’ Behind the Scenes
In this sneak peek at an upcoming episode of Vanguard, correspondent Mariana van Zeller follows a preacher into a Rio de Janeiro favela (slum), where he performs powerful rituals — exorcisms — in the midst of drug addicts. watch video
Brazil’s elite urban combat special forces: Scenes from ‘Vanguard’
In this scene from “City of God, Gangs & Drugs,” correspondent Mariana van Zeller accompanies the BOPE to a crime-ridden favela. watch video
In crack-ridden slum, still fearing the word of Christ: Scenes from ‘Vanguard’
In this scene from “City of God, Gangs & Drugs,” correspondent Mariana van Zeller and a local pastor go to one of Rio de Janeiro’s gang-controlled favelas. watch video
Brazilian drug traffickers with American-made guns: Scenes from ‘Vanguard’
In this scene from “City of God, Gangs & Drugs,” correspondent Mariana van Zeller goes inside a Rio de Janeiro warehouse controlled by drug traffickers. watch video
The battle for Rio is on
For the first time in human history, more people live in cities than rural areas, which has led to the creation of massive slums in cities around the world. read post
