Brazil: Rio's New Year's Eve celebrations to draw 2 million people

Event

New Year's Eve celebrations in Rio de Janeiro are expected to draw around 2 million people on Sunday, December 31. Associated celebrations are planned to take place in Copacabana beach, Barra da Tijuca, Flamengo, and Paquetá Island, among other areas. The Copacabana beach party, expected to be the highlight of the evening, is planned to begin at 19:00 (local time) and continue until dawn on Monday, January 1; ten different musical acts will perform on a stage in front of the Copacabana Palace Hotel, and fireworks will reportedly last 17 minutes. A heightened security presence and associated traffic disruptions are expected in advance of the celebrations on December 31.

Context

The planned New Year's Eve celebrations in Rio de Janeiro come as rates of violence have risen in the city in 2017.

Spikes in crime rates and violence in Rio de Janeiro state shed light on the failure of the state's security polices. According to government statistics, 4974 people were killed in the state in the first nine months of 2017, an 11 percent increase from the same period in 2016. Incidences of armed cargo theft have also reportedly tripled in Rio de Janeiro state from 2013 to 2016, with local companies spending up to 20 percent of their budgets on security.

Advice

Due to the high crime threat in Rio de Janeiro - and throughout Brazil more generally - individuals should remain vigilant during the New Year's Eve celebrations, report any suspicious behavior to relevant authorities, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities. Conceal conspicuous signs of wealth to avoid attracting the attention of would-be thieves.

Individuals in Rio are also advised to take precautionary measures to ensure vehicle security. Do not leave your car in an isolated area, and keep car windows closed and doors locked at all times.