MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil promises FIFA “peace and tranquillity” for the 2014 World Cup

Luiz Paulo Barreto, Brazil’s Minister for Justice

The Brazilian government has assured FIFA officials that the 2014 World Cup will be a success, promising football's governing body “peace and tranquillity”.

There are fears about safety in the country, particularly following a recent attack on a vehicle carrying Formula One driver, Jenson Button, near the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo and the increase of violence in Rio, where gangs have been blocking downtown streets, robbing drivers and setting cars on fire.

Both cities are among fourteen that will be hosting the next World Cup.

Luiz Paulo Barreto, The Minister for Justice, promised that “maximum security” will be provided for all visitors during the tournament.

Barreto, who was speaking at a three-day conference between the Brazilian government and FIFA's executive board in Brasilia, continued: “We will be at an advanced level, with the police properly trained and prepared,”

Security was beefed up on Tuesday on the streets of Rio following the weekend wave of violence by armed men believed to be retaliating for law enforcement's takeover of shantytowns. The pacification effort aims to have 40 slums in the hands of police and free of drug traffic by 2014.

Barreto said Rio, which will host the 2016 Olympics, and the 11 other World Cup host cities will have command centres from which various Brazilian and international law enforcement organizations can work in unison.

However, massive doubts still remain over Brazilian airports.

Sports minister Orlando Silva on Monday voiced his concerns, saying: “I am very worried about our airports”.

“When we think about an event of this size and that Brazil is almost a continent, and that you can only travel around by plane, then we realise that this is the biggest risk for the 2014 World Cup.”

The government has promised to invest 4.5 billion US dollars into improving airports for the World Cup. An independent watchdog expects an additional six million fans to pass through Brazilian airports during the World Cup.

Participants at the meeting underlined the importance of cooperation from special law enforcement forces from overseas such as the FBI, which sent delegates to the Brasilia meeting.

“I’m sure Brazil can promote a safe and successful World Cup and Olympics. We already have cooperation programs with Brazil in security areas which will be expanded”, said US ambassador in Brazil, Thomas Shannon.