Brazilian gov't taps 360 mln USD for security in Rio

BRASILIA, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian President Michel Temer signed a decree on Tuesday to provide 1.2 billion reais (360 million U.S. dollars) for the federal security takeover of Rio de Janeiro.

Temer said via social media that, with this money, "we will win this battle against organized crime."

General Walter Braga Netto was named by Temer to oversee the security takeover of Brazil's most popular tourist destination, after crime and homicides in the city skyrocketed in recent years.

The federal intervention transfers command over all public security forces in the state, including the prison system, to Netto.

Last week, Temer indicated that extraordinary financial resources would be made available for the federal intervention and that more could follow if necessary.

The intervention was announced by Temer in February as an "extreme measure" that was necessary to fight organized crime.

Thousands of soldiers and police have been deployed across the city and are set to remain there until Dec. 31, when Temer's term in office comes to an end. Enditem