Amen to that. I went to Brazil in the 1990s and really liked it. I have always wanted to go back for vacation and was planning on it next year. After all this bad press, I probably won't. This surprises me. I consider myself fairly well read but these stories are a real eye-opener for me. I know that non-Western countries aren't the cleanest, safest places to visit but I've always accepted some level of risk in traveling. But these Brazil stories are a lot worse than I thought was the case.
A pal from my former employer vacationed with his wife and another couple in Brazil a dozen years ago. 15 minutes after he hit the beach, someone shoved a pistol in his ribs and took his wristwatch and wallet.