Body in a trolley: the brutal reality of Rio's drug war
A woman carrying a child walks unconcerned past a trolley containing the dumped, hooded body of a man, the victim of bloody drugs battles sweeping through Rio de Janeiro's slums.
Brazil's president today promised to deal with traffickers after a weekend of chaos in Rio which claimed the lives of more than 20 people.
The latest violence came two weeks after the city won the 2016 Olympics, adding to fears that Brazil would be unable to guarantee the safety of competitors and visitors to both the Games and the 2014 football World Cup.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said: "We'll do anything it takes and make all necessary sacrifices so we can clean up the mess these people are imposing on Brazil."
Police said the death toll from weekend clashes between gangs had risen to 21 after more bodies were found in the Morro dos Macacos (Monkey Hill) slum, where gangs also shot down a police helicopter, killing three officers.
Mr da Silva said the government will provide emergency funding to fight the gangs that control many of Rio's 1,000 slums.
He said: "It will take time to resolve the problems. When you have a conflict of this magnitude, the innocent people always pay the price."
