The Rio 2016™ Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games congratulates governor Sergio Cabral and the law enforcement institutions of the state of Rio de Janeiro for the successful operation deployed to regain territorial control of the Rocinha, Vidigal and Chácara do Céu communities.

The success of this operation is yet another evidence of the suitability of the Public Security policy and the Rio de Janeiro pacification project, conducted with firm hand by the State government and with full support from the society and, above all, the communities involved.

Governor Sergio Cabral’s courage and determination to make Rio de Janeiro a safer place to live has been receiving national and international recognition, and his responsible and heedful planning is already seen as a benchmark by other governmental authorities.

Rio 2016™ is convinced that the events witnessed on Sunday, November 13, will result in benefits to the residents of Rocinha, Vidigal and Chácara do Céu, as they will pave the way for several actions by the three levels of government – federal, state and city – aimed at definitely integrating these communities into the city.

The historical events of last Sunday reiterate the commitment undertaken by Brazil of staging the Games in 2016, as well as the test events as of 2015, in a climate of full security for participants, tourists and residents.

Furthermore, they represent a momentous progress made by the State of Rio de Janeiro towards the achievement of one of the key objectives of the Rio 2016™ Olympic and Paralympic Games, which is to bring about positive transformations to the city, leaving a sustainable legacy of social well-being to the current population and future generations.