Well, there go my plans to visit Buenos Aires. Rio might still be fun. You think?
As for alignment with Castro, something else is in the wind IMHO. Everyone thinks Fidel is going to die soon so it seems that others are jockeying for his international position and reputation. We'll see what happens after Fidel's funeral and a general revolution against tyrany in Cuba begins. I've been to Havana and know how those people yearn for freedom.
I wouldnt abandon your plans to go to Buenos Aires just yet. It still is an amazing place, which I plan to go back to as soon as possible. Brazil has a lot of crime, whereas B.A., despite their poor economy and related poverty, is still much cleaner, safer, modernized, etc.
No! Go ahead to Argentina and avoid Rio. It's the most dangerous place to visit on the continent! My buddy just returned from Rio and was told to look out for muggings. He was mugged anyway. Brazil is a violent place and dangerous for Americans.