Violent clashes between military police and drug gangs from the slums around Rio de Janeiro have periodically closed the Linhas Amarela and Vermelha highway. There have been exchanges of gunfire, bus burnings and passersby have been killed. The focal point is the area near the exit for Avenida Brasil. The U.S. Consulate recommends avoiding this section of the highway, especially in the evening, and suggests taking the Aterro route when traveling to the international airport, which goes through Copacabana, Botafogo, Flamengo and past the consulate to the elevated highway (Perimetral).
