Traffic in Rio's west zone returns to normal after riots
Bus circulation in Rio de Janeiro's west zone has seen a 90 percent return to normalcy on Tuesday morning (Oct. 24), according to Rio Ônibus, the Union of Bus Companies in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro. Circulation in other regions remains unaffected.
The disruption in the west zone resulted from recent events where militia members set fire to 35 buses, on Monday afternoon (23), in response to police operations against them. A man accused of being the leader of the gang was killed.
Rio Ônibus regards the response from organized crime as the most significant assault on the city's transportation network within a single day.
According to the SuperVia Railway Concessionaire, a train departing from Santa Cruz had its cabin set on fire. Passengers and the driver disembarked safely. Six stations were temporarily closed, affecting commuters. Rio de Janeiro Governor Cláudio Castro announced the arrest of 12 individuals who will face charges of terrorism in connection with these events.
Schools closed
As a consequence, the Municipal Department of Education reported the temporary closure of 20 schools on Tuesday (24), while the state network continues to operate normally but with reduced attendance. On Monday night (23), 12 state schools suspended classes in the affected areas, covering 2,900 students.
Federal support
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his support for the state of Rio, emphasizing on his social media account the need for “sharing solutions with the local government so that Rio can return to the headlines for its beauty and best features."
"Brazil faces a persistent challenge in combating organized crime. It is imperative to enhance the living conditions of our citizens. Collaboration among governors, mayors, and the federal government is essential to devise collective solutions. The mishandling of weapon regulations has inadvertently provided organized crime with increased access to ammunition, a concerning trend observed in recent years," stated the president.
"This government will not evade the issue, attributing it solely to the states. I have already engaged in discussions with Flávio Dino [Minister of Justice and Public Security], and today, I will converse with Múcio [Monteiro, Minister of Defense]. We are committed to leveraging the resources of the Ministries of Justice and Defense in the battle against organized crime and militias in Rio. Our aim is to collaborate and offer solutions to the challenges faced by the states," concluded President Lula.
