<p>The occupation of Rocinha, a notorious hillside “favela” that overlooks some of Rio's swankiest areas, is a crucial part of the city’s preparations to host soccer’s World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics two years later.<br /><br />Security forces have occupied nearly 20 slums in the past three years but none as symbolically or strategically important as Rocinha, a sprawl of shacks, stores and evangelical churches located at a traffic choke point between the main city and western areas where most Olympic events will be held.<br /><br />With large army helicopters thudding overhead, troops began climbing the slum’s winding roads just after 4 am and declared the operation a success within two hours after encountering no resistance.<br /><br />The invasion of Rocinha and the nearby Vidigal slum was as much a media event as a military operation, as hundreds of reporters followed soldiers and police up through deserted, garbage-strewn streets. <br /><br />The authorities had announced their plans days in advance, giving gang members plenty of notice to flee.<br /><br />According to TV news channel GloboNews, only one person was detained during the operation. There were no reports of casualties.<br /></p>
<p>The occupation of Rocinha, a notorious hillside “favela” that overlooks some of Rio's swankiest areas, is a crucial part of the city’s preparations to host soccer’s World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics two years later.<br /><br />Security forces have occupied nearly 20 slums in the past three years but none as symbolically or strategically important as Rocinha, a sprawl of shacks, stores and evangelical churches located at a traffic choke point between the main city and western areas where most Olympic events will be held.<br /><br />With large army helicopters thudding overhead, troops began climbing the slum’s winding roads just after 4 am and declared the operation a success within two hours after encountering no resistance.<br /><br />The invasion of Rocinha and the nearby Vidigal slum was as much a media event as a military operation, as hundreds of reporters followed soldiers and police up through deserted, garbage-strewn streets. <br /><br />The authorities had announced their plans days in advance, giving gang members plenty of notice to flee.<br /><br />According to TV news channel GloboNews, only one person was detained during the operation. There were no reports of casualties.<br /></p>