Among the measures are sweeps by the PF bomb squad in hotels on the seafront and in the environments where the leaders will be, especially the Museum of Modern Art (MAM)
The explosions on Wednesday night (13) should raise concerns even further and require additional security measures during the night. Treated by the government as a politically motivated attack, the episode worries members of the Itamaraty directly involved in preparing the meeting. The city of Rio de Janeiro is preparing to receive, on Monday and Tuesday, 55 foreign delegations, the majority represented by heads of state and government from the 20 largest economies in the world, invited countries and leaders of international organizations .
Among them, the presidents of the USA, Joe Biden, of China, Xi Jinping, of France, Emmanuel Macron, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, and the Chancellor of Russia, Serguei Lavrov, the five powers with veto power in the Council of UN Security. The attack occurred just a few days after Xi’s arrival in Brasília. He will make a state visit and spend Wednesday (20) in the capital. The Chinese president will be received by Lula at the Palácio da Alvorada, four kilometers from the site of the explosions, at the Federal Supreme Court. The reception at Alvorada is unusual and, according to Itamaraty secretaries, already signaled security restrictions.]
Security
Among the security measures required by foreign delegations were precisely sweeps by the Federal Police (PF) anti-bomb squad in hotels on Rio’s waterfront and in the environments where the leaders will be, especially the Museum of Modern Art (MAM), where they will stay for two days. A few days before the meeting, preparations are still being finalized in Rio and were inspected yesterday by the first lady, Rosângela da Silva, known as Janja.
Railings were placed at Aterro do Flamengo, which will be closed to the public for the next few days, and security force scouts were circulating on motorcycles. However, there was no such overt policing, as only diplomatic negotiators were in the city for prior discussions. Lula should arrive tomorrow to fulfill a parallel agenda for the U-20, with mayors, and the G20 Social.
Reinforcement
A Federal Highway Police (PRF) trailer was installed next to Santos Dumont Airport, which due to security requirements for foreign delegations will be closed to commercial flights between the 17th and 20th (Sunday to Wednesday). The airspace will be controlled and vehicle traffic will be blocked. Lula opted for the use of the Armed Forces from November 14th to 21st, through a Law and Order Guarantee decree (GLO). Military control began yesterday, but should be expanded, according to a Brazilian ambassador.
The expected number of personnel from the Navy, Army and Air Force was 9,000, according to the Ministry of Defense. They will operate at Marina da Glória, at MAM, at the Monument to Estácio de Sá, at hotels on the waterfront, from Leme to Barra da Tijuca, at Santos Dumont and Galeão airports (used by the delegations) and on the respective authorities’ trips.
Published by Luisa Cardoso
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
