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    November 13, 2011

Brazilian Police Take Control of Rio's Largest Slum

   VOA News
   Brazilian navy armored vehicles move into Rocinha shantytown in Rio de
   Janeiro, Brazil, Nov. 13, 2011.
   Photo: AP
   Brazilian navy armored vehicles move into Rocinha shantytown in Rio de
   Janeiro, Brazil, Nov. 13, 2011.

   Brazilian authorities say police have taken control of the largest slum
   in Rio de Janeiro, which has been occupied by drug traffickers for
   decades.
   The police invaded Rocinha early Sunday morning.
   The action is part of a police campaign to stabilize Rio's security
   before its hosts the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.
   Rocinha is built on a steep hillside near some of Rio's richest
   neighborhoods.
   Brazilian officials say more than 1.5 million people in Rio de Janeiro
   live in 1,000 slums spread throughout the city.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP.

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