The security issues in Rio de Janeiro were talked about at length before the 2016 Summer Olympics. Now that the games have begun, it’s not terribly surprising to see incidents occur.
However, it is shocking to learn that the Head of Security for the entire games was mugged at knife point after the Opening Ceremony according to the New York Times.
The Head of Security, Felipe Seixas, was the victim of an attempted robbery when he was leaving the Maracana. He was on his way to his car when he was approached by four men with knives. Luckily for him, Seixas was accompanied by a federal agent and policeman.
The police officer shot one of the muggers, Ronaldo Fagner Marques de Souza, who died on the spot. The other three escaped.
The death of Marques is being investigated as a homicide currently in Rio. While the names of the other three are not known, reports stated Marques was sentenced to two years and five months in prison on April 5th of this year. He had been convicted of drug trafficking crimes. In total, he had been involved with five separate assault cases as well and two criminal courts.
It’s just sad and tragic that these events are already occurring in Rio just days into the competition. The worst part is, they aren’t the only bad security issues to happen so far.
Also of note, a stray bullet landed in the equestrian arena media tent on Saturday after barely missing a New Zealand sports official. Additionally, Portugal’s education minister was assaulted while walking next to Rio’s upscale lagoon, which will serve as the site of the rowing competition.
The city had been dealing with security issues for quite some time even before the games started. Due to budget cuts the government hasn’t been able to pay police officers on time too often.
To protest their salaries being delayed or partially paid, police officers went to Rio’s International Airport and held up signs for arriving tourists that said “Welcome to Hell.”
[New York Times] [Extra Globo]
