[h=2]Pacification Operation Undertaken in Rio[/h]
The favela complex, or shanty town, was previously controlled by drug traffickers and will now be occupied by the city's 35th UPP or 'Police Pacification Unit'. The favela pacifications are occurring amid Rio de Janeiro's efforts to improve security ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games.
Special forces soldiers stand by as a military helicopter flies overhead during a 'pacification' operation in the favela complex of Lins de Vasconcelos, in the North Zone, on October 6, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Soldiers prepare for a 'pacification' operation in the nearby favela complex of Lins de Vasconcelos, in the North Zone, on October 6, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Residents (L) watch as police on horseback and patrol during a 'pacification' operation in the favela complex of Lins de Vasconcelos, in the North Zone, on October 6, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Residents watch as a special forces soldier sweeps up during a 'pacification' operation in the favela complex of Lins de Vasconcelos, in the North Zone, on October 6, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
A military helicopter flies overhead during a 'pacification' operation in the favela complex of Lins de Vasconcelos, in the North Zone, on October 6, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Special forces soldiers stand by during a 'pacification' operation in the favela complex of Lins de Vasconcelos, in the North Zone, on October 6, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Military police on horseback patrol during a 'pacification' operation in the favela complex of Lins de Vasconcelos, in the North Zone, on October 6, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
People walk past as military forces (L) wait to start a 'pacification' operation in the nearby favela complex of Lins de Vasconcelos, in the North Zone, on October 6, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
A resident (L) films on her iPad as military forces wait to start a 'pacification' operation in the nearby favela complex of Lins de Vasconcelos, in the North Zone, on October 6, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Soldiers walk before starting a 'pacification' operation in the nearby favela complex of Lins de Vasconcelos, in the North Zone, on October 6, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Soldiers prepare for a 'pacification' operation in the nearby favela complex of Lins de Vasconcelos, in the North Zone, on October 6, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Special forces soldiers standy by with dogs trained to sniff for drugs and weapons during a 'pacification' operation in the favela complex of Lins de Vasconcelos, in the North Zone, on October 6, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Soldiers prepare for a 'pacification' operation in the nearby favela complex of Lins de Vasconcelos, in the North Zone, on October 6, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Military police on horseback patrol near the favela complex of Lins de Vasconcelos, in the North Zone, on the day of a 'pacification' operation on October 6, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.