Brasília – On March 3, a gang of bandits overpowered sentinels at an Army unit in Rio de Janeiro and robbed ten rifles and a pistol. The Army response was unexpected and unexpectedly severe. For eleven consecutive days and nights, troops invaded and scoured slum areas in the city ostensibly searching for the stolen weapons, but also disrupting the lives of slum dwellers and the business of criminal elements (mainly drug dealers). Some reports say that as much as 70% of drug trafficking activities ground to a halt because of the presence of the Army.

Last night the Army announced it had recovered its weapons.

According to vice president and minister of Defense, José Alencar, if the government of Rio de Janeiro requests Army assistance in combating crime it could receive that assistance. "The Army does not run, the Army does not retreat," he said, explaining that if there is a formal request, which is necesary, the city could get help from the military.

Alencar said that the presence of the Army troops on the city streets and in the slums over the past few days had been "beneficial," lowering crime rates. He pointed out that the Army had operated legally, with search and arrest warrents.

"Sometimes we are maybe a little too comprehensive about crime. We comprehend and crime grows. Perhaps we need more direct action like putting Army troops on the streets to show that crime does not pay," said the vice president.

Alencar said he had informed president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva that the Army had recovered its stolen weapons. "The president said he was satisfied and praised the action by the Army," said Alencar.

Translation: Allen Bennett