DRUG WAR CLAIMS ITS DAILY VICTIMS

It isn't news that Rio de Janeiro has a serious problem with drugs. The news are the daily victims, which, if we were to report every day, would take up all available space. Today the crossfire between the police and the drug dealers caused panic to locals, injuring ordinary citizens as they went about their daily lives.

It's very common in Rio to know someone who has been somewhat impacted by a stray bullet. I personally know quite a few people, none of which live in the slums. My aunt's apartment was hit, my grandparents building was hit (the bullet hit just one inch above their bedroom's air conditioning unit, which, if hit, would have exploded, killing them instantly and possibly claiming other lives), my tailor was hit on the ear while riding the public bus on her way to the bank, my school (the private school I went to in Rio) was constantly having to shut down because of the danger, and the kids would collect bullet capsules, which could be found all over the playground, and many other similar stories, which I will spare you from.

Drug dealers are in a category of their own. Some view them as evil doers, who terrorize society, especially the middle class, waging wars among themselves, claiming innocent victims, exercising their power over ordinary citizens, and often times innovating torture methods that would make your skin crawl. Others see them as protectors, doing for communities what the government fails to do. They keep order in the slums, with eye-for-an-eye punishing methods that regulates behavior and provides a sort of peace. They also loan money for those in need when banks won't, help make medications accessible when the government won't, and all they ask for in return is loyalty - a price that may seem reasonable but is in fact very high to pay. Despite their somewhat "reasonable" demeanor with the local slum dwellers, these drug lords are fierce with ordinary cariocas, claiming lives in ways that will be told...on entries to come.