Rio Street Vendors Clash With City Agents: 2 Arrested, 2 InjuredA confrontation between agents from the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Order Secretariat (Seop) and street vendors in the city center ended with two people arrested and two injured—both of whom were secretariat employees. The incident occurred in front of the Terminal Garagem Menezes Côrtes during an urban order operation on Thursday afternoon.
Video circulating on social media shows one of the city agents emptying a pepper spray canister and scenes of physical altercations. The Military Police and the Municipal Guard were called to assist.
The Seop issued a statement regarding the incident: "Unauthorized street vendors threw chairs and wooden objects at agents of the Municipal Order Secretariat (SEOP) during an urban order operation on Rua São José in the city center on Thursday afternoon (07/05). The assaults provoked a reaction from the agents. The Military Police and the Municipal Guard were called to assist in the operation. One patrol vehicle was damaged, two vendors were arrested, and two agents were injured."
The incident highlights ongoing tensions between city authorities and informal street commerce in Rio's urban areas.