Rio Kicks Off Street Carnival Operations With Heavy Policing and Megablocos Schedule

Overview

• The Military Police announced a special plan for the pre-carnival weekend, deploying more than 4,000 officers, 500 vehicles and aerial support, with integrated-camera patrols in the Circuito Preta Gil area.
• The official calendar lists 462 street blocos from January 17 to February 22, with 135 parades concentrated in the city center.
• The Circuito Preta Gil on Rua Primeiro de Março will host ten megablocos between January 24 and February 22, featuring Anitta and Ludmilla, with Ivete Sangalo’s first time leading a Rio megabloco and Cordão do Boitatá joining the group.
• Health authorities will operate seven pre-hospital posts, including two on the circuit, and women’s services will field teams of psychologists, lawyers and social workers after a reported 275% rise in harassment cases last year.
• City support measures include 34,000 toilet positions, about 1,100 Municipal Guard agents, screening points at megablocos and prohibitions on glass containers and sharp objects.