US intelligence is helping Brazilian government secure Rio de Janeiro as it hosts Olympic Games 2016.
As Olympic Games is about to open on August 5 (August 6 Manila Time), spies from the US are already on the ground in the host city in order to protect the security of the dignitaries and the athletes competing in different sports events.
Reports show that more than 1, 000 spies from US intelligence were sent to Brazil as part of a highly classified effort to protect the Rio 2016 Summer Games and American athletes and staff.
Aside from this, hundreds of analysts, law enforcement and special operations personnel are also operating now in Rio de Janeiro.
There is no indication of any specific plot against the Games, which officially kick off with Friday’s opening ceremonies but it’s better prepare, according to sources.
Senior military officials said more than a dozen highly trained Navy and Marine Corps commandos from the U.S. Special Operations Command are in Brazil, working with the Brazilian Federal Police and the Brazilian Navy.
Their operation encompasses all 17 U.S. intelligence agencies, including those of the armed services, and involves human intelligence, spy satellites, electronic eavesdropping, and cyber and social media monitoring.
These agents are securing more than 10,000 athletes and more than 35,000 security and police personnel; monitoring terrorists’ social media accounts; and offering U.S. help in securing computer networks.
Two weeks ago, Brazilian authorities detained a dozen Rio residents because of alleged ties to the Islamic State. A Brazilian of Lebanese descent was also arrested for alleged links to ISIS.
“U.S. intelligence agencies are working closely with Brazilian intelligence officials to support their efforts to identify and disrupt potential threats to the Olympic Games in Rio,” said Richard Kolko, a spokesman for National Intelligence Director James Clapper.
Before the Olympic Summer Games open, 11, 178 athletes from 206 countries are confirmed to participate in 306 sports events in 42 sport disciplines. It will be held in 37 venues in the host city, Rio de Janeiro.