The government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) confirmed the carrying out of a Law and Order Guarantee (GLO) operation before and during the G20 summit, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro with meetings of foreign leaders in November 18th and 19th.
According to the decree published on Friday night (8), the Armed Forces will act as a police force in the city to protect authorities and delegations that will participate in the event. The operation will be valid between November 14th and 21st.
“The use of the Armed Forces, in conjunction with federal public security bodies and the state of Rio de Janeiro, will be important for the protection of delegations, ensuring that Brazil offers a safe environment for everyone involved,” said the government in a press release.
The G20 meeting will bring together world leaders such as Chinese President Xi Jinping, American Joe Biden and French Emmanuel Macron. On the other hand, Russian leader Vladimir Putin will not come to Brazil due to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
According to the decree, the military will operate in strategic points in Rio de Janeiro, such as the perimeter of the Museum of Modern Art (where the G20 meetings will take place), Marina da Glória, Monumento Estácio de Sá and hotels where heads of state will be staying.
The forces will also be present on arrival and departure routes between Tom Jobim International Airport (Galeão) and accommodation locations, covering sections of the Yellow Line, Red Line and main roads in the South and West zones of the city.
The operation will cover the area around Galeão airport, including passenger terminals and access roads, such as Avenida 20 de Janeiro and Estrada do Galeão. Security will also be reinforced in Brazilian jurisdictional waters, in conjunction with the Federal Police, to protect sensitive areas during the summit.
Another decision also determined that Santos Dumont Airport, in the center of Rio, will be closed on the 18th and 19th due to its proximity to the Museum of Modern Art, for security reasons due to the presence of foreign leaders. The operations will be forwarded to Galeão.
The decision to implement the GLO had already been discussed by security authorities from both the federal government and the state of Rio de Janeiro. Governor Claudio Castro (PL-RJ) minimized concerns, stating that operations of this type are common at major international events.
The G20 summit marks the high point of Brazil’s rotating presidency of the bloc in 2024, which brings together the world’s largest economies, in addition to the European Union and the African Union. The event also confirms the initiatives developed by the country during parallel discussions held throughout the year, such as a global tax on large fortunes and the mobilization to eradicate hunger.
The last major GLO operation in Brazil ended in June this year, when the federal government decided to withdraw the military that had been operating since November 2023 in ports and airports in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. The objective was to intensify security to combat drug trafficking in these areas. With the end of the operation, the Federal Police and the Federal Revenue resumed control of security and customs actions.
