Rio de Janeiro is under tight security while the leaders of the largest economies in the world are gathering for the G-20 summit, "France Press" reported, quoted by BTA.
Police and military personnel patrol the streets, with thousands of surveillance cameras in place. Authorities have announced two days off to help local residents avoid the hassles of everyday life.
The meeting is attended by US President Joe Biden, Chinese President Xi Jinping and the leaders of Australia, Great Britain, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan and other countries. Some of them have sent large delegations.
The epicenter of heightened security is the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro, located on the bayfront overlooking the surrounding mountains. The airport next to the museum will be closed during the meeting, with tens of thousands of passengers having to use the more distant “Galeao“ international airport.
The city's coastline, including the famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, is guarded by ships of the Brazilian Navy. This caused surprise among foreign tourists.
Many residents of the city of six million people plan to leave during the meeting. The increased police presence is expected to temporarily curb violence in poorer neighborhoods. In the first half of the year, 1,790 murders were reported in Rio de Janeiro, AFP notes.
The head of the city's organizing committee for the G20 meeting, Lucas Padilla, described ensuring the smooth running of the event as a “real challenge”.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva signed a decree allowing the armed forces to participate in public order in emergency situations.
About 25,000 military and police personnel are deployed in the city, including at the ports and airports, and armored vehicles are positioned around the museum. Five thousand cameras will monitor the city, and drones and helicopters will monitor the situation from the air.