Rio Launches 24‑Hour 'Tolerância Zero' to Clear Illegal Trade from Zona Sul Beaches

Overview

• The municipal operation began July 16 with 138–160 agents deployed to 69 monitoring points and continuous patrols along the Leme–Leblon stretch.
• On the first day authorities approached 88 vendors and seized food, drinks, five triciclos, 11 carrocinhas and three vehicles used as irregular deposits.
• Access controls and metal barriers were installed at key beach entrances while three trucks collected confiscated goods and temporary public deposit sites were decreed for two vacant buildings.
• Hundreds of ambulantes staged protests on Avenida Atlântica on July 15–16 demanding dialogue and regularization after enforcement emptied many traditional vendor spots.
• The federal public prosecutor filed for suspension of the program on July 17, arguing the city launched a permanent enforcement policy without required federal planning or measures to protect workers who depend on informal sales.