With rival Brazilian gangs fighting for control of the country's largest favela in Rio de Janeiro, it's gotten so bad that the government has had to call in the army.

The city recently had to ask the federal government to send in 1,000 soldiers, as violence in the Rocinha favela continues to escalate. This isn't the first time something like this has happened — the army has repeatedly been sent into neighborhoods to help quell drug-related violence.

The Racinha favela in Rio is home to 70,000 people. Residents now share their neighborhoods with heavily-armored vehicles and soldiers. Thousands of students were told to stay home, and some schools and businesses were closed.

There are also signs that the situation may worsen in the future. Budget cutbacks have resulted in reductions in policing and other essential services, even as violence in Rio's favelas continues to rise.