Brazil, U.S. hold joint exercises for Rio Olympic security

Brazilian navy began a series of joint exercises with its US counterpart in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday as part of preparations for the Olympic Games in August.

In the Guanabara Bay, the two sides carried out a simulated rescue of a ship seized by mock terrorists, near where the Olympic Games' sailing event will take place.

Brazilian and American marines used a diving support vessel as the target for the simulated hijacking, with two rapid response boats and a helicopter used to board the ship.

"Our training will cover firing, closed space combat, first aid, communications and boarding ships," said Brazilian captain Luis Guilherme Rabello, in charge of the operation, during the presentation of the exercise.

Navy forces from both countries will work together until mid-April to increase the preparation of Brazilian security forces ahead of the Olympic Games, while agents from other bodies will also take part.

According to Rabello, given an increase in terrorist attacks around the world in recent months, security officials at the Olympic Games have decided to include the profiling of these attacks in their training and planning. Endi