Brazil prepared to respond to any attack during Olympics, confirms defence minister

Brazil's Defence Minister, Raul Jungmann, assured on Friday that the South American country is "peaceful" but it will not hesitate to respond to any attack, especially during the Olympic Games 2016 in Rio de Janeiro which will get underway on August 5.

"Brazil is a peaceful country, but it isn't an unarmed country. We know how to defend ourselves and how to fight back. If anyone challenges us, we will respond tirelessly and relentlessly," said Jungmann.

The minister spoke while visiting Rio de Janeiro's Airborne Infantry Brigade to review the troops, equipment and vehicles that will be used during the Games.

The paratroops will act as a contingency force during the Olympics, assisting the security forces in case their abilities are exhausted.

Present at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro will be 21,000 members of the armed forces, as well as 64,000 police and security members. All of them will be carrying out monitoring tasks throughout the duration of the international sporting event.

(APD)