In Copa alone, some 1,265 tourists have been attacked this year, including, the stabbing death of a 61-year old Japanese tourist who resisted a robbery and an Argentine who was shot dead while trying to defend himself from attackers. With continued reports of escalating crime and violence, the $2 billion/year industry would be at grave risk; however, the tourism economy is expected to increase by six percent over the 2004 summer period. Foreign tourists seem disaffected by the high crime rates. In an attempt to stave off criminal elements, police in Copa have established road blocks and staffed an additional 2,500 armed officers. They are highly confident this heightened presence will suffice.

Also, a new development, learned in neighboring Argentina and Colombia, involves kidnapping of family members, typically among the celebrity echelon. This trend?most frequently seen in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo–seems to be focusing on soccer stars for now who are increasingly less viewed as national icons and heros than sources of ill-gotten money. Until now, they had been revered for working themselves out of poverty, and if they were targets of random crime, assailants had been known to apologize and leave them alone. In Sao Paulo this year alone, some 83 kidnappings were reported; an unknown number have certainly unreported. Most are perpetrated by well-organized gangs that often send an amputated finger as proof of life and their seriousness. They often go unreported due either to demands not to involve authorities or fear of complicity. However, the mother of soccer star Robinho (Robson de Souzo) was kidnapped from a social gathering in the Santos neighborhood by unknown entities over five weeks ago. Since then, officially, there has been no contact from the abductors, a move that might signal protracted ransom negotiations are underway. Lengthy kidnappings are standard in Colombia, where captives have been held for upward of three years before being safely released. As a result, Robinho has a full staff of bodyguards, and talks of depression abound. The soccer world, through Nueva Mayoria research instituted, has reported 20 successful or attempted kidnappings since 2002. This has included the brother of Argentina?s Juan Roman Riquelme, the father of duo Gabriel and Boca Juniors, the father of Leonardo Astrada, and threats to Brazil?s Matias Almeyda?s family. Even players elsewhere in the world could be targeted.