Brazil's Defence Minister Aldo Rebelo has downplayed risks of massive protests during the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, despite the country's economy and political crisis and a mushrooming scandal at state-run oil giant Petrobras.
Rebelo told a news conference in Brasilia the expected 85,000 security agents, including 38,000 members of the armed forces, will be enough to guarantee safety during the games from August 5-21.
Rebelo also said violent protests, like those during the 2013 Confederations Cup, were not likely, but "have to be confronted and repressed if they happen".
Many Brazilians are expected to take to the streets again this weekend, with different groups either demonstrating their opposition to - or support for - President Dilma Rousseff, who faces impeachment proceedings.
