Viva Carnival!

February 21, 2007

What's been called the world's greatest celebration, Carnival parties on in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The huge Sambadrome parades, which go on until dawn as endless rows of samba school dancers and giant, elaborate floats pass by spectator stands, are the highlight of Rio's Carnival. But this year's festivities are being held under the shadow of gunfights and turf battles that have killed dozens of people in recent weeks and exposed Rio's dark side. The security plan for Carnival calls for 1,000 police officers and 750 city guards to patrol the Sambadrome area.