Tag Archives: Porto Alegre

Security Advisory: World Cup

Yesterday saw Europe vs Latin America and finished with one to each.  Both matches went down to the wire and things are looking promising for the remainder of the knockout stages.  Today is Europe vs Africa with both Algeria and Nigeria facing uphill battles against Germany and France respectively, both of whom are looking in good form.

The Brazilians have managed fan, spectator, and tourist security very well.  Funnily enough, fan security is more of a headline in home countries rather than in Brazil. France and Colombia have both voiced the need for enhanced security, domestically, during games.  In Brazil, reporting continues to indicate a positive security presence in the host cities and reports show that anti-world cup protests appear to have died off.

Today’s matches are in Porto Alegre (14C, 94% Humidity, rain all day) and Brasilia (29C, 77%H, clear). The game in Porto Alegre is the late game so hopefully it clears up otherwise it’s going to be cold and damp affair.  Despite the heavy weather, there haven’t been any transport concerns in Porto Alegre as we saw in Natal and Recife.

Security Advisory: FIFA World Cup

The group stage is over and we’re into the knockout stages following today’s rest day. The tournament has now finished in four locations: Cuiaba, Curitiba, Manaus, and Natal but I’m sure the party will continue in full force despite the lack of visiting teams.

With regard to the potential violence of South American fans I mentioned yesterday, an Argentine fan was shot in the leg during a dispute in Porto Alegre (the closest host city to the Argentine border). Brazil previously had a ban on selling alcohol in stadia due to violent fans, this law was rescinded as a FIFA stipulation for hosting the tournament, indicating that there is a propensity for drunken violence at these matches. When it comes to international rivalry, things may get even worse. I’m not forecasting the apocalypse however, be aware of your surroundings and don’t get baited into an argument with rowdy fans from another country.

The heavy weather in North of Brazil proved too much for many fans. There were an unfortunate number of empty seats for kick off due to the widespread flooding and impassable streets. One report stated a 40min drive took 4hrs! This had been a serious concern for matches in both Recife and Natal however the storm has been weathered and there is only one match to go in Recife on Sunday but the forecast is for rain. Just be ready with an alternative route in mind and leave plenty of time to get to the game, this has to take into account both the transit time and the large security queues that could be even longer when have the staff can’t make it for similar reasons. Be aware of your valuables in these instances, tropical rain isn’t a misty shower like NYC or London; you will be drenched to the core in a matter of minutes so be prepared to get very wet, very quickly, while keeping your phone, money, and tickets dry.

Security Advisory: Fifa World Cup

We’re down to the last two days of the group stages and all is going swimmingly.  No incidents reported amongst fans however the Italian contingent has complained about Uruguayan propensity for biting in the box.  When all else fails…

A sit-in, or rather a live-in, protest was set up last night in front of the local government buildings in Sao Paulo.  Protestors will continue to try and capitalise on the media presence during the tournament.  As we progress towards the elimination rounds, expect attempts at protest to increase and this to be reciprocated with efforts of suppression by the security services.

Today’s games are in Porto Alegre (20C, 100% Humidity, heavy rain early clearing towards game time), Salvador (27C, 94%H, slight chance of early rain clearing in the afternoon), Manaus (30C, 89%H, slight chance of rain), and Rio (30C, 94%H, clear).  The Maracana in Rio de Janeiro had fan incursions in the first two games and none during the Belgium vs Russia game.  Although this may have been down to a lack of enthusiasm on behalf of those fans, I suspect it has more to do with enhanced security presence following the embarrassment of the first two matches.

As we near the end of the group stages, fans who don’t have tickets to later matches may be tempted to try pitch invasions or incursions into venues; do not be tempted by such stupidity.  It will only get you arrested and deported.  Deportation may be a badge of honour when it’s done on a political basis but it will be a huge embarrassment when done for criminal reasons.

Security Update: Fifa World Cup

Another exciting day on the pitch with Ghana’s stunning tie with three time tournament winners Germany.  That game also saw the tournament’s first streaker or pitch-invader, but this only paused the match for less than a minute. Nonetheless, the media will remained focused on embarrassing FIFA by continually reporting the same stories with an added layer of butter. ABC news have written a good summary of how things have gone from an organisational point of view so far: here.

Sunday’s matches are mostly the unimpressive group H.  The big game will be the USA vs Portugal, the former coming out a victory against Ghana who has knocked them out in the previous WC and the latter who were crushed by the Germans in the first match of the group stage.  If the Americans win it will be the third giant slayed in the first 2 matches!

Today’s matches are in Rio De Janeiro (29C, 88% humidity, slight chance of rain), Porto Alegre (19C, 100% humidity, clear), and Manaus (29C, 89% humidity, good chance of rain (it is in a rain forest…)). If you’re going to the match in Rio, the police cordon has been significantly widened to avoid fans getting into the Maracana as has happened in the last two matches.  FIFA will be making significant efforts to avoid further embarrassment, so get there early, as the subway station will be packed and the route from the subway station even more so.

Brazil World Cup Travel Advisory: Manaus, Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre

MANAUS

City Description

Manaus is the capital city of the state of Amazonas in northern Brazil. It is located on the north bank of the Negro River, 18 kilometers (11 miles) from the confluence of the Negro and Solimões rivers. Due to its location in the middle of the Amazon rainforest, access to the city is primarily through boat or airplane. As of 2014, the city’s population is 1.9 million, making it the most populous in the Brazilian Amazon area and the 7^th most populous in the country.

Security

While Manaus is fairly safe, MS Risk advises all travellers to remain vigilant at all times. Always avoid deserted streets, especially after dark.

Transportation

International Airport

Eduardo Gomes International is the airport that serves Manaus. The airport has two passenger terminals, one for scheduled flights and the other for regional aviation. It also has three cargo terminals.

Highways

There are two federal highways that connect Manaus with the rest of the country.   There is a paved road that heads north, BR-174, and which connects Manaus to Boa Vista, the capital of the State of Roraima, and to Venezuela. The BR-319 heads south and connects Manaus to Port Velho, the state capital ofRondônia. Access to this highway however requires a ferry crossing to Careiro, across the Rio Negro and River Amazon, which take about forty minutes. BR-319 is only paved for about 100 kilometers (62 miles) to Castanho. After that, the highway is not paved and cannot be used.

The two major state highways are the AM-010 and the AM-070. The AM-010 heads east, to Itacoatiara, Amazonas at the banks of the River Amazon. The AM-070 heads south and reaches Manacapuru, which lies at the banks of the Solimoes River. Both roads are paved and operate all year round.

PORTO ALEGRE

City Description

Porto Alegre is the capital and largest city in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. Its population in 2010 was 1,509,939, making it the tenth most populous city in the country.   The city lies on the eastern bank of the Rio Guaiba, where five rivers converge to form the Lagoa dos Patos.

Security

MS Risk advises all travellers to the city of Porto Alegre to remain vigilant at all times. Watch out for robbers near the city’s Historic Centre, particularly on rua dos Andrads and near the bus station.

During the night, MS Risk advises travellers to avoid the following areas: the inside and surroundings of Farroupilha park, which is the city’s largest drug dealing spot; the Historic Centre near the UFRGS Centro university campus, particularly along rua Sarmento Leite; the southern unlit area of Marinha park and Harmonia park. Most of these places are known to be drug dealing spots and should be avoided.

Transportation

International Airport

Salgado Filho International Airport serves flights operated by major Brazilian airlines to many areas in Brazil and South America.

Metro

Porto Alegre has a metropolitan train system, known as Trensurb, which links the downtown area to cities north of the metropolitan area, including Canoas, Esteio, Sapucaia do Sul, São Leopoldo and Novo Hamburgo. Trensurb has nineteen stations, with a total extension of nearly 40 kilometers (25 miles).

Highways

There are two federal highways in the city: BR-290 and BR-116, both of which run close to the city’s northern and northwestern border.

• BR-290: Runs east-west across the state, linking the northeast coast of the state to the Uruguay-Argentina-Brazil border. It runs close to the northern border of the municipality.
• BR-116: Is a longitudinal highway which runs northeast-south across the state, linking Porto Alegre to several satellite cities and other Brazilian capitals to the north, and Pelotas and Uruguay to the south.

RIO DE JANEIRO

City Description

Rio de Janeiro, or Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, and is the 2^nd largest city of Brazil and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America. There are approximately 6.3 million people living within the city proper, making Rio de Janeiro the 6^th largest city in the Americas and the 26^th in the world.

Security

Rio de Janeiro continues to experience high incidences of crime. Tourists are particularly vulnerable to robberies and street thefts, especially in the evenings and at night, in areas adjacent to major tourist attractions. Although crime occurs throughout the year, it is more frequent during Carnival and the weeks prior, as tourists begin to arrive. It is therefor likely that the crime rates will increase during the World Cup and in the weeks prior to its start.

There have been attacks, including shootings, along the trails that lead to the Corcovado Mountain and in other parts of the Tijuca Forest.

If robbed, do not attempt to resist or fight back.   Instead you are advised to relinquish your personal belongings. At all times, MS Risk advises you to pay close attention to your surroundings and the behavior of those nearby. There have been reports of thieves and rapists slipping incapacitating drugs into drinks at barks, hotel rooms and street parties.

MS Risk advises that you choose your lodging carefully, considering the location, security and the availability of a safe to store your valuables. Do not answer your hotel room door until you positively confirm who is on the other side as there have been several incidents where mass holdups of guests have occurred at hotels and hostels in the city.

Rio de Janeiro’s favelas have become a popular tourist destination. A favela pacification programme, instituted in 2008, installed police stations in some favelas, primarily in the Zona Sul area, however most favelas continue to exist outside the control of city officials and the police. Travellers to favelas are urged to exercise caution when entering any “pacified” favelas and are advised to not travel to any favelas that have not been “pacified” by the state government. Travellers should be advised that even in some “pacified” favelas, the ability of police to provide assistance, especially at night, may be limited.

MS Risk advises all travellers to remain vigilant while on the roads, especially at night. There have been shootings and carjackings on the Linha Vermelha, which links the airport to the Southern Zone of the City.   Motorists in Rio de Janeiro should be especially vigilant at traffic lights and when stuck in traffic. Carjackings and holdups can occur at intersections, especially at night.

Incidents of crime on public transportation are frequent, and at times have involved violent crimes. When travelling by yellow taxi, you are advised to onlyuse taxis that openly display company information and phone numbers as well as red license plates. MS Risk also advises travellers to not use public vans.

Transportation

International Airport

The City of Rio de Janeiro is served by the following airports:

• Galeão-Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport: Which is used for all international and most of the domestic flights. The airport is located 20 kilometers (12 miles) from downtown Rio.
• Santos Dumont Airport: This airport is mainly used to travel to São Paulo, with some short- and medium-haul domestic flights and general aviation. The airport is located on Guanabara Bay, which is just a few blocks from downtown Rio.
• Jacarepaguá-Roberto Marinho Airport: This airport is used by general aviation. The airport is located in the district of Baixada de Jacarepaguá, within the municipality of Rio de Janeiro approximately 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the city center.

Highways

Rio de Janeiro has roads that lead to all neighbor States. Some roads, including Via Dutra to São Paulo, and a portion of the BR-101, which covers the Rio-Niterói bridge, have been chartered to private enterprises. While the quality of the highways has greatly improved in recent years, this has resulted in a significant increase in toll fairs.

Metro

Rio de Janeiro has two subway lines with 42 kilometres (26 miles) and 32 stations, along with several commuter rail lines. The two lines serve the city seven days a week. The first line runs from General Osório in Ipanema to Uruguai Station in Tijuca while the second line runs from Botafogo, sharing ten stations with the first line, and terminates at Pavuna in northern Rio.

SuperVia connects the city of Rio de Janeiro with other locations Greater Rio de Janeiro with surface trains.