RIO DE JANEIRO SECURITY INCIDENTS – OCTOBER MONTHLY BULLETIN

01/10/2025 – A man was found shot dead on Wednesday morning (01/10) in the parking lot of Carmela Dutra Maternity Hospital in Madureira, North Rio. Following the gunfire, the hospital temporarily closed its doors until the 3rd Military Police Battalion arrived. The Capital Homicide Division is investigating whether the victim was shot by criminals before entering through the wooded area behind the hospital.

01/10/2025 – Former Goiás state deputy Iram de Almeida Saraiva Júnior was arrested on Wednesday (01/10) in Barra da Tijuca, West Rio, suspected of sexually abusing a 2-year-old child. The investigation, led by the Child and Adolescent Victim Police Unit (Dcav), began in March after a daycare reported concerns and gathered evidence through interviews with the child. Saraiva Júnior, also a doctor in Niterói, was arrested and had his phone seized. He is also under investigation for harassment of his ex-wife.

01/10/2025 – A man was arrested on Wednesday (01/10) in Jardim América, North Rio, after attempting to steal a car using a toy gun. According to the Federal Highway Police (PRF), the victim realized the weapon was fake, and the suspect was restrained by locals before officers arrived. During his attempted escape, he threw the toy gun into a drainage ditch, but police later recovered it.

01/10/2025 – On Wednesday night (01/10), a baker was arrested in Bangu, West Zone of Rio, for robbing his former workplace in Vila Valqueire last May. Security cameras recorded him and an accomplice — still at large — stealing about R$8,000 in cash along with employees’ phones and belongings.

02/10/2025 – On Thursday (02/10), Rio de Janeiro’s Civil Police and CORE units carried out a major phase of Operation Asfixia in the Maré complex, where teams enforcing 18 arrest warrants were met with intense gunfire. Officers pursued targets linked to the Red Command. Eleven suspects were arrested, including a military police sergeant and a Petrópolis City Hall aide accused of acting as informants for the faction. Authorities also ordered the seizure of R$700,000 in criminal assets. While investigations revealed that Petrópolis has served as a logistics hub for drugs and weapons.

04/10/2025 – Man Assassinated in Bangu. A man was shot dead in the morning on Avenida Raul Barros Vieira in Bangu, West Zone. Images showed his car riddled with bullet holes, particularly in the windshield and driver’s side.

06/10/2025 – Criminals Invading Hospitals. Over 700 healthcare units had their activities interrupted due to violence in 2025. At the end of September, an Emergency Care Unit in Costa Barros, North Zone, was taken over by bandits who forcibly removed two men from the critical care area, mistaking them for rival faction members.

06/10/2025 – Police Chase and Shooting in Gamboa. A police pursuit ended in a shootout on Livramento Street in Gamboa, downtown Rio. A suspect in a stolen car was shot during the exchange of fire and taken to Souza Aguiar Hospital.

07/10/2025 – Militia vs. Traffickers Clash in Vila Kennedy. During an invasion attempt of Vila Kennedy neighborhood by militias from Antares community, Santa Cruz neighborhood, a man was shot in the leg. The confrontation involved armed bandits in cars opening fire against people in the neighborhood square. Vila Kennedy is controlled by Red Command traffickers.

08/10/2025 – Two Men Were Killed at a Tire Shop In Tijuca. Two men were murdered at a tire shop on São Miguel Street in Tijuca, North Zone, during the weekend. Police suspect the crime was motivated by the physical resemblance between one victim and a rival Comando Vermelho trafficker.

08/10/2025 – Low Homicide Resolution Rate. A study by Instituto Sou da Paz revealed that only 1 in 4 murders in Rio state are solved, with the clearance rate at 23% in 2023, tied with Piauí and ahead only of Bahia (13%). Experts attribute this to police focus on large operations rather than investigative intelligence.

09/10/2025 – Governor Signs Crime Fighting Package. Governor Cláudio Castro sanctioned the “Violent Crime Fighting Package (PEC-RJ)”, creating electronic surveillance with AI, restricting prison visits, and increasing juvenile detention periods.

09/10/ 2025 – “Matuê” Drug Trafficking Leader Killed. Ygor Freitas de Andrade, known as “Matuê”, one of the most wanted criminals in Rio’s west zone and leader of drug trafficking in Gardênia Azul, was killed during a Civil Police operation in the Chacrinha community, Jacarepaguá. Two of his bodyguards were also killed in the confrontation. Matuê had three arrest warrants against him and was investigated for the murder of civil police officer José Antônio Lourenço in May 2025.

09/10/2025 – App Driver Arrested for Sexual Assault. Lucas Eduardo Santana de Souza, a 25-year-old ride-share driver, was arrested in Madureira, North Zone, on charges of raping a 14-year-old passenger during a ride a month earlier.

10/10/2025 – Six Suspects Killed in Major Operation. Six suspects were killed in confrontations during a major integrated operation against the Red Command (CV) at dawn in Morro do Juramento, Vicente de Carvalho, North Zone. In total, the operation targeted 15 communities across Rio’s metropolitan region: Bateau Mouche (Praça Seca), Chacrinha (Praça Seca), Cidade de Deus, Complexo da Mangueirnha (Duque de Caxias), Gardênia Azul, Morro da Caixa D’Água (Quintino), Morro do Banco (Itanhangá), Morro do Dezoito (Água Santa), Morro do Jordão (Taquara), Morro do Juramento (Vicente de Carvalho), Muzema (Itanhangá), Pendura-Saia (Praça Seca), Rio das Pedras, Tijuquinha (Itanhangá), Vila Kennedy (Bangu).

11/10/2025 – Suspect Killed in Linha Vermelha Shootout. A shootout on Linha Vermelha expressway ended with a suspect dead on Saturday afternoon (11). Two PMs saw a criminal attempting to rob a motorcycle near São Cristóvão, in the direction of Túnel Rebouças. The suspect resisted arrest and the PMs shot him. He was taken for medical care but did not survive. One lane of the expressway was closed but reopened during the afternoon.

13/10/2025 – 14 Militia Members Arrested in Jacarepaguá. Military Police arrested 14 militia members and seized 12 rifles, a carbine, two pistols, one revolver, magazines and two grenades in an operation in Colônia Juliano Moreira, Jacarepaguá, Southwestern Zone. The operation was conducted by the 18th Military Police Battalion based on intelligence work, and the militia members were arrested without gunfire exchange.

14/10/2025 – Gold Necklace Stolen and Eaten in Flamengo. A 22-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday, October 14, for stealing a gold necklace from a tourist. The incident occurred at Flamengo Beach (Praia do Flamengo) in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro. The Polish tourist, aged 28, reported the theft of her gold necklace and pendant to police. The suspect, who has a history of theft, was apprehended near Largo do Machado by the “Segurança Presente” police team. Upon capture, the thief confessed to the crime, revealing he had swallowed the necklace in an attempt to hide the stolen item.

16/10/2025 – Fraud Ring Operating from Luxury Condominium Dismantled. Civil Police arrested members of a criminal organization operating a fake banking call center from a luxury condominium in Barra da Tijuca. The gang specialized in financial fraud targeting bank customers.

16/10/2025 – Gracyanne Barbosa Robbed of R$ 800,000 Luxury Vehicle. Fitness model and ex-BBB Gracyanne Barbosa and her sister were victims of an armed robbery at Barra Olímpica, Southwestern Zone, when three armed criminals stole her Land Rover Defender 110 valued at approximately R$ 800,000. The assault occurred when they stopped at a gas station convenience store. One criminal pulled her by the hair and threatened to shoot her in the head while she struggled to exit with her leg brace. Her sister was held at gunpoint.

17/10/2025 – Operation Against Comando Vermelho in Baixada Fluminense. Civil Police launched “Operação Última Parada” targeting Comando Vermelho in the metropolitan region. Eight suspects were arrested during the operation that aimed to execute 20 arrest warrants and 5 search warrants in Japeri, Nova Iguaçu, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Duque de Caxias, Queimados and Guapimirim. The investigation lasted seven months and focused on identifying the structure and main members of drug trafficking in the region. Investigators found evidence that the faction regularly used minors to avoid significant losses among adult members.

17/10/2025 – PM Arrested for Killing Wife in Feminicide. Thiago Teixeira da Silva (37), a military police sergeant from the Highway Battalion, was arrested in flagrante after shooting his wife five times, killing Jaqueline Rafaela Garcia Andrade (52) in the early hours of Friday in Recreio dos Bandeirantes. Witnesses reported that Thiago was disoriented and in a jealous crisis before the crime. Neighbors in the Terreirão community heard the shots and called police. The PM has been suspended and will face feminicide charges.

17/10/2025 – PM Killed in Curicica Was Militia Member. Adelmo da Silva Guerini Fernandes, 51, a 2nd sergeant known as “Russo” or “Magrelo”, was assassinated in the afternoon of Friday (16) in Asa Branca community, Curicica, Southwestern Zone. Adelmo was under investigation for participating in a militia called “Os Mercenários” (The Mercenaries) operating in the Southwest Zone.

17/10/2025 – Homeless People Killed in Rifle Attack Near Irajá Metro. At least two homeless men were killed and a third seriously wounded in a rifle attack at approximately 4:00 AM near the Irajá metro station, North Zone. The crime occurred when a car stopped in front of a group of homeless people sleeping under the station’s awning on Avenida Pastor Martin Luther King Júnior, and occupants opened fire with a rifle. The wounded man was taken in critical condition to Hospital Estadual Getúlio Vargas in Penha. The motivation for the crime remains unknown.

17/10/2025 – Elderly Man Dies After Assault in Senador Vasconcelos. Jair Novo dos Santos (60) died after being brutally assaulted in Senador Vasconcelos, West Zone, on the eve of Children’s Day while trying to spend the holiday with his grandson. The conflict began when Mateus went to pick up his son at his ex-partner’s house and encountered Lorran, her current boyfriend. An argument between the two men evolved into a physical fight, resulting in Lorran punching Jair. The impact caused the elderly man to fall and suffer traumatic brain injury. Jair was initially taken to Hospital Municipal Rocha Faria in Campo Grande, then transferred to Hospital Municipal Pedro II in Santa Cruz, but did not survive the cerebral hemorrhage. The case was initially registered as bodily injury but is now being investigated as homicide or injury followed by death.

17/10/2025 – BOPE Operation Targets “Sardinha” in Cidade de Deus. The Special Police Operations Battalion (BOPE) conducted operations in the Tirol community, Freguesia, Southwestern Zone, seeking Luciano da Silva Teixeira, known as “Sardinha da CDD”, one of the main Comando Vermelho leaders in Cidade de Deus. Sardinha has been a fugitive since 13 August when he failed to return to prison after receiving a home visit benefit for Father’s Day. He was convicted to 24 years, 2 months and 13 days for qualified homicide, drug trafficking association, illegal firearm possession, receiving stolen goods and resisting arrest. He still has 11 years remaining in his sentence. The operation caused nine buses to be used as barricades by criminals.

18/10/2025 – PM Sergeant Kills Fellow Officer in Vila Valqueire shooting. Two off-duty military police sergeants who were close friends engaged in a fatal confrontation in Vila Valqueire, Zona Oeste. Eduardo Filipe Santiago Ferreira, 42, was killed by his friend William Amaral da Conceição, 36, after a night of drinking together. Security camera footage captured the moment when the two men exited their vehicle on Avenida Jambeiro around midnight on Sunday, October 19, and began exchanging gunfire. Santiago pleaded with his friend, saying “Amaral! It’s me, Santiago!” before being shot at least eight times. William was arrested at the scene and claimed he didn’t remember the shooting, initially alleging they had been victims of an attempted robbery, though no evidence supported this claim.

18/10/2025 – Delivery Driver Shot During Robbery in Guaratiba. João Pedro Santos Pereira, a 19-year-old delivery app driver, was shot during a robbery on Saturday night, October 18, on Estrada da Ilha in Ilha de Guaratiba, Zona Oeste. Three criminals on two motorcycles surrounded the young man as he was making his last delivery of the day. Despite handing over his cell phone, the assailants shot him in the back as he attempted to flee. He was taken to Hospital Municipal Rocha Faria in critical condition but later stabilized. The victim worked weekdays as a construction helper and delivered on weekends to supplement his income. His motorcycle was stolen by the criminals.

19/10/2025 – Seven Militia Members Arrested at Tribute Party in Guaratiba. The Civil Police arrested seven individuals, including military police officer Luís Guilherme Bastos Alves from the 18th Battalion (Jacarepaguá), during a militia tribute party in Guaratiba, Zona Oeste, on Sunday afternoon, October 19. The celebration honored deceased militia leaders from the Braga family, including Wellington da Silva Braga (“Ecko”), Carlos Alexandre da Silva Braga (“Carlinhos Três Pontes”), and Matheus da Silva Rezende (“Faustão”), all relatives of imprisoned militia leader Luiz Antônio da Silva Braga (“Zinho”). A banner with photos and names of the three dead militiamen was displayed at the event. Police seized six assault rifles, four pistols, and recovered two stolen vehicles. All seven were arrested in flagrante delicto.

20/10/2025 – Pastor Killed by Stray Bullet in Chapadão Complex. Eduardo de Oliveira Santos, a 45-year-old pastor and painter, was fatally shot in the back during a police operation in the Complexo do Chapadão, Costa Barros, Zona Norte, on Monday, October 20. According to family members, he was riding his bicycle to visit his sister when he was caught in a confrontation between police from the 41st Battalion (Irajá) and criminals. Criminal factions had set fire to barricades to hinder police access. He was taken to the UPA (Emergency Care Unit) in Ricardo de Albuquerque but died before transfer to a better-equipped hospital. His death brought the total of stray bullet victims in the Metropolitan Region of Rio to 92 in 2025, with 20 fatalities. Residents later staged a protest, blocking Estrada do Rio do Pau with buses as barricades.

20/10/2025 – Pharmacy Employees Held Hostage During Robbery in Recreio. Four armed criminals invaded a pharmacy on Estrada Benvindo de Novaes in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, Zona Sudoeste, on Monday night, October 20. They locked the doors and held employees and customers hostage while stealing money, cell phones, jewelry, and products including weight-loss medications known as “slimming pens” (Mounjaro and Wegovy). The manager was forced to provide banking app passwords. When the 31st Battalion (Recreio dos Bandeirantes) arrived, three suspects were captured.

21/10/2025 – Militia Shootout Leaves One Dead in Santa Cruz. A shootout between rival militia groups near Avenida Brasil in Santa Cruz, Zona Oeste, resulted in the death of Lucas Antônio Menezes dos Santos on the evening of Tuesday, October 21. According to family members, Lucas was heading to work at a supermarket when he was caught in the crossfire on Avenida Padre Guilherme Decaminada. He was struck by gunfire and taken to Hospital Pedro II but did not survive. His family suspects he was mistaken for a militia member.

21/10/2025 – Woman Runs Over Robbers in Jardim Botânico. A dramatic attempted robbery in Jardim Botânico, Zona Sul, ended with two criminals trapped under a vehicle on the night of Tuesday, October 21. A woman driving a bulletproof Jeep with her son was approached by three men on two motorcycles on Rua Lopes Quintas. When one assailant banged on the car window with a weapon, the driver accelerated and ran over one of the motorcycles, causing two criminals to fall and become pinned beneath the vehicle and a planter. A third assailant escaped.

21/10/2025 – Three Arrested Attempting to Steal Telecommunications Tower in Irajá. Three men were arrested in flagrante delicto on Tuesday, October 21, while attempting to steal a telecommunications tower valued at approximately R$800,000 in Irajá, Zona Norte. According to the Civil Police, the group was working with drug traffickers from the Para-Pedro community. The criminals used a tow truck to transport the structure. During the operation, there was an exchange of gunfire with the police. Three men were captured, while others escaped.  An employee of the company responsible for the equipment was threatened with death during the crime.

21/10/2025 – Second Day of Operations in Chapadão Complex with arrests. For the second consecutive day, the Military Police conducted operations in the Complexo do Chapadão, Costa Barros, Zona Norte, on Tuesday morning, October 21, following the previous day’s death of pastor Eduardo de Oliveira Santos. Teams from the 41st Battalion (Irajá) patrolled the region. By the end of the operation, six people had been detained, four assault rifles, one pistol, and drugs were seized, and two cars and one motorcycle were recovered. Among those arrested was Renan Gomes Galdiano Pinto, known as “Geleia,” identified as a drug trafficking manager in the Complexo do Chapadão who was on conditional release.

22/10/2025 – Intense Shootout in Lins de Vasconcelos Disrupts Zona Norte. An intense shootout in Lins de Vasconcelos on the morning of Wednesday, October 22, mobilized significant police reinforcement and caused transportation disruptions in the Zona Norte. Residents from Engenho de Dentro and Méier neighborhoods reported hearing heavy gunfire. The 3rd Battalion (Méier) was patrolling the Camarista Méier community when they were attacked by criminals, triggering a confrontation. Seven suspects were arrested, with seizures including one assault rifle and one pistol. One suspect was wounded and taken to Hospital Municipal Salgado Filho.

22/10/2025 – Man Arrested for Stealing Imported Products in Barra da Tijuca. A man was arrested in Barra da Tijuca on Tuesday, October 22, for stealing imported alcoholic beverages from his employer, an import company. During a search of his home, agents seized approximately 130 bottles of various imported labels, along with promotional materials from a Belgian beer brand, including posters and banners. The importing company had detected the inventory shortage valued at R$70,000.

23/10/2025 – On Thursday night (23), a 23-year-old man was grazed by a bullet on Ataulfo de Paiva Avenue in Leblon, South Zone. According to witnesses, the shot was fired by a man reacting to an attempted robbery in the busy nightlife area. The victim, who was not the target, was walking along the sidewalk when hit. Another bullet struck a parked car. He was taken to Miguel Couto Municipal Hospital and is not in serious condition. The case is under investigation by the 14th Police Precinct of Leblon.

24/10/2025 – Intense Gang War Between CV and TCP in Tijuca. At least 40 heavily armed traffickers from Comando Vermelho attempted to invade the Casa Branca community, controlled by rival faction Terceiro Comando Puro, triggering a massive shootout in Tijuca, Zona Norte, on the night of Friday (24). The attack was retaliation for an October 5 incident when armed criminals opened fire on a tire shop near Casa Branca, killing two people. Residents reported hours of intense gunfire, including assault rifles and grenade explosions, with burning barricades visible across the neighborhood. Many residents compared the scene to a “war zone,” with one stating it was the first time in 25 years that a bullet entered their home. Military Police intensified patrols and recovered two stolen vehicles during operations.

25/10/2025 – Businessman Killed in Suspected Robbery Attempt in Oswaldo Cruz. Silvio Ferreira Ribeiro, 67, a clothing factory owner known as “Silvinho,” was shot and killed in the early hours of Saturday (25) at the intersection of Rua Capitão Macieira and Rua Carlos Xavier in Oswaldo Cruz, Zona Norte, as he returned home from work. Security footage captured two gunshots and showed his white Jeep Renegade crashing into a wall, while two men on a motorcycle fled the scene. Police are investigating the case as latrocínio (robbery followed by death), with family believing he may have resisted the robbery attempt. Ironically, Silvinho had been carjacked at the exact same location three months earlier in July, and his phone was stolen 15 minutes after the shooting, with scammers calling family members. He was buried on October 26 at Cemitério Jardim de Mesquita, with no arrests made as of the report.

26/10/2025 – Armed Robbery Wave (Arrastão) on Linha Amarela. Criminals carried out a series of armed robberies on the Linha Amarela expressway on Sunday afternoon (26), near the Viaduto da Abolição, terrorizing motorists in broad daylight around 13:30. Videos shared on social media showed criminals robbing drivers on the major highway, prompting authorities to close Access 4 at the height of Pilares neighborhood for safety. Residents reported intense gunfire and warned others on social networks about the danger of using the route, with videos circulating widely on Instagram pages tracking violence in Rio. The incident was the latest in a series of highway robberies plaguing Rio’s main thoroughfares throughout 2025.

28/10/2025 – On Tuesday (28), at least 64 people — including four police officers — were killed and 81 arrested in a massive security operation against the Comando Vermelho in Rio de Janeiro’s Alemão and Penha complexes. Nearly 100 rifles were seized, making it the deadliest police operation in the state’s history. In response, traffickers blocked major roads and burned vehicles across the Greater Rio area, plunging the city into chaos. The raid, part of “Operação Contenção,” involved 2,500 agents and led to fierce criticism from human rights groups and Brazil’s federal public defender for excessive police violence and violations of constitutional safeguards.

28/10/2025 – On Tuesday (28), in Inhaúma, North Zone, a 30-year-old man was shot by military police during what they described as a stop-and-search operation on Estrada Adhemar Bebiano. The officers from the Tactical Motorcycle Battalion claimed he was armed and ignored orders to stop, later seizing a revolver from his car. His family, however, disputes the police version, alleging that the weapon was planted after the shooting and that he did not resist. The victim was hospitalized under custody at Hospital Federal de Bonsucesso, where he underwent surgery and remains sedated. The Civil Police registered the case as disobedience, attempted qualified homicide, and illegal possession of a firearm.

30/10/2025 – On Thursday night (30), a 32-year-old man was shot on Avenida Brasil near Guadalupe, North Zone. He was treated around 18:40 and taken by firefighters to Carlos Chagas State Hospital, where he remains in stable condition. Police have not yet clarified the circumstances of the attack. The Military Police increased patrols in the area, while the Civil Police opened an investigation to identify those responsible.

30/10/2025 – On Thursday night (30), a shooting in the Colônia area of Jacarepaguá, West Rio, left a man, a woman, and her 13-year-old daughter injured. The girl was hit five times and taken with her mother to Lourenço Jorge Municipal Hospital, where the man — who was driving a stolen Nissan Kicks — was also admitted and placed under arrest. Witnesses said the family was attacked by occupants of a black car who opened fire as they drove by. Police recovered bullet casings at the scene, and the driver was charged with vehicle tampering and receiving stolen property.

30/10/2025 – On Thursday (30), the Federal Police launched Operation Capgras to dismantle a criminal network that embezzled pensions and retirement benefits from deceased UFRJ employees through document forgery and financial fraud between 2022 and 2024. The scheme moved about R$22 million via shell companies and fake identities posing as relatives of former professors. Four people were arrested, and R$300,000 in cash, luxury cars, jewelry, and documents were seized. Investigators found evidence linking part of the diverted funds to members of the Comando Vermelho (CV). The case, which caused an estimated R$1.2 million loss to UFRJ, may extend to other federal institutions.

30/10/2025 – In the early hours of Thursday (30), a 13-year-old girl was shot dead in the mouth in the Coreia community of Senador Camará, West Zone. Two teenagers, aged 16 and 17, later turned themselves in at the 34th Police Precinct (Bangu), claiming the shooting was accidental while they were handling a pistol they had found. The victim died instantly. The case was referred to the Homicide Division of the Capital (DHC) for further investigation.

31/10/2025 – On Friday afternoon (31), a shootout between rival criminal groups forced the closure of both directions of Linha Amarela near Vila do Pinheiro, in the Maré complex, North Zone. Two people were shot inside a car, including a 28-year-old woman who died later. A rifle was seized at the scene. Videos posted online showed gunfire, people lying on the ground, and vehicles caught in the crossfire. Military police from the 22nd BPM responded, and specialized units reinforced patrols along the expressway.

TRENDS & ADVICE

• Mass robberies and thefts in tourist spots are some of the most notorious security risks in Rio de Janeiro, especially in the city’s South Zone.
• When moving through crowded places and their vicinities, visitors should be cautious and refrain from exposing valuables.
• Avoid any display of wealth (jewelry, cell phones), but always carry a small amount of money (R$50) to hand over to muggers.
  • In case of robbery: cooperate, do not try to run after the assailant as he or she might not be alone or turn violent.
• Rio is famous for its favelas, and most are affected by the presence of gangs. Disputes for territory between rivals and police operations lead to gunfights. Therefore, these locations should never be visited.
  • Shootouts may also occur outside such communities, in this case:
    • Lay on the ground and seek cover behind a solid object, such as the engine block.
    • When it is safe to do so, find the nearest building, stay away from any windows, and do not move unless you are sure that the gunfire has ended.
• Avoid walking alone in poorly lit areas or beaches after nightfall. Avoid walking/biking through tunnels, especially Túnel do Leme.
• As sexual aggressions are on the rise, women should pay special attention to the environments where they go alone and avoid empty and dark places.
• During a night out, never accept offers of food and beverages from strangers, and pay attention to yours, as they can add drugs to them.
  • Men and women alike are targets of such crimes.
• Be always cautious, even in the areas considered safe, such as Downtown, Botafogo, Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, and Barra da Tijuca.
  • Exercise caution in the Centro (downtown) during the day and avoid the area after nightfall and during the weekends, as it is relatively deserted during such periods.
• Be careful when using the GPS, as it may lead you to unsafe areas controlled by organized crime.
  • Remain on the main streets and roads and avoid the rush hours.
  Keep your windows closed.
  • Prefer cooperative taxis instead of driving yourself or using a ride-sharing App.
• Stay away from any protests that normally occur in Av. Presidente Vargas, Av. Rio Branco, Praça da Cinelândia, and Av. Atlântica.
• Attention to scams that may reach you through a WhatsApp message, e-mail, SMS, or a call.
• Keep in mind useful numbers: Emergency police number (190), and Rio de Janeiro tourist Police. Phone: (21) 2332-7949