Protests in Brazil during the Confederations Cup

Six cities in Brazil have been hit with the country's largest protests in 20 years, following the start of the Confederations Cup on the 15/06/2013.

In Rio de Janeiro, 100,000 people protested on 17/06/2013, against rising public transport costs and the expense of staging the 2014 World Cup, estimated at €9bn. In 2012 in Brazil, growth was only measured at 0.9%, whilst inflation reached 6.5%.

"I don't care about the World Cup, I want health and education," the protesters chanted in front of the Maracana stadium, the venue for the Italy vs Mexico match (2-1). Other protests took place in Brasilia, Sao Paulo, Porto Alegre, Curitiba and Belo Horizonte on the 17/06/2013.

After the Confederations Cup (15 to 30/06/2013), Brazil will host the World Cup in 2014 (from 12/06 to 07/13/2014) and Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games.

• "The government assumed the responsibility and the honour to stage these two international events, and will do so, ensuring the security and integrity of the fans and tourists," said Sports Minister, Aldo Rebelo, 17/06/2013.
  
  
• "Peaceful demonstrations are…