Brazil’s special force to safeguard World Cup

Rio De Janeiro –  Brazil has created a special force of 10,000-strong military personnel to ensure that no anti-government protests disrupt this summer’s 2014 FIFA World Cup, news website G1 reported.

The special force is expected to reinforce the work of local and federal police in the 12 cities that will be hosting games in June and July, Xinhua reported Friday.

The force, comprising members of the National Public Security Force, has been receiving special training since 2011, G1 reported, citing the unit’s director, Col. Alexandre Augusto Aragon.

Aragon said the force received on-the-job training during the mass demonstrations that plagued the Confederations Cup games held in Brazil in June 2013.

“The National Force is not an ordinary force. We are called during times of crisis, only for specific missions,” said Aragon.

“For the World Cup, we have trained 10,000 men in clash instruction and we are prepared to take action in all of the 12 host cities at the same time,” he added.