Between December of 1987 and November 2001, violent death claimed 3,937 cariocas (Rio residents), under 18 years of age.

By comparison, during the same period, 467 minors died in and around the West Bank between Jordan and Israel, which is considered a war zone by the international community.

More than 1 million people live in Rio's slums,

known as favelas.

Male youths involved in drug gangs represent 5% to 6% of this population.

The majority of armed adolescents are between 15 and 17 years old because the homicide rate jumps over 820% for those drug gang soldiers 18 years of age or older.

They work on a kill-or-be-killed basis, and 50% of armed youth have been directly involved in killing, according to COAV (Children and Youth in Organized Armed Violence).

The impoverished adolescents of Rio's slums, faced with limited options, join organized crime that, often as not, leads to their early and violent death.

Nearly 95% of all homicide cases do not even make it to court. Both the cops and the armed adolescents know that there is little other option than to shoot to kill or die trying.

(excerpts from

"Drug Lords and Young Soldiers"

by Sam Logan)

Rio de Janeiro, 2009