Brazilian Armed Forces to Reinforce G20 Security in Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – Brazilian armed forces will be deployed to enhance security during the upcoming Group of 20 meeting in Rio de Janeiro next month, as stated by the city's state secretary for security on Tuesday.

Deployment Authority

Under Brazilian law, the president can temporarily deploy the military to a specified area to patrol the streets if local police are insufficient to handle the situation.

The deployment, known as the Guarantee of Law and Order (GLO), has been previously used to augment security at major international events hosted by Brazil, such as:
– 2014 World Cup
– 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics
– 2012 United Nations' summit, Rio +20

Ensuring Safety

Victor Santos, Rio de Janeiro's state secretary for security, assured journalists on Tuesday that the GLO would be activated for the G20 summit, occurring on November 18-19. "The host country is responsible for ensuring the safety of those who come," he stated.

Leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden and China's Xi Jinping, have confirmed their attendance at the G20 summit.

Specifics of Deployment

Santos clarified that the armed forces would be deployed specifically within the city of Rio de Janeiro, rather than the entire state.

Neither Brazil's presidential office nor defense ministry provided immediate comments on Santos' statements.

Recent Violence

In recent weeks, Rio de Janeiro has experienced several violent incidents, including hijackers using city buses to block streets and disrupt police entry after releasing passengers.