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Nelson Belen

Nelson is a native New Yorker now living in Rio de Janeiro. He writes about local politics, business, real estate, sports, and Brazilian beachwear.

Brazil’s Odebrecht Paid US$2.3MM in Bribes for Maracanã Renovation

By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - According to court documents just released to the public, executives of embattled Brazilian construction giant...

Rio’s Metro Line 4 Stations Offer Reduced Fare Until April 30th

By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - As part of MetrôRio's “Quem Prova Aprova” (Who Tries It Approves) campaign, the five stations...

Rio’s Vasco Wins 2017 Taça Rio Over Botafogo, 2×0

By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - On Sunday, April 16th, at Nilton Santos Stadium (Engenhão) Vasco shutout Botafogo 2-0 to win...

Rio’s Flamengo Defeats Atlético-PR 2×1 in Libertadores at Maracanã

By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - On Wednesday, April 12th, Rio's CR Flamengo football (soccer) club faced a must-win situation against...

Brazil Residential Real Estate Sale Prices Stable in March

By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - According to the latest FipeZAP Index, residential real estate sale prices in Brazil remained relatively...

Brazil Superstar Marta Signs Two-Year Deal with Orlando Pride

By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Late Friday, April 7th, the Orlando Pride of the U.S.'s National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)...

France’s Lagardère to Take Over Rio’s Maracanã Stadium

By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - One of the most drawn out behind-the-scenes football (soccer) storylines in recent memory may have...

Rock in Rio 2017 Partners with 16 Rio Hotels in Barra da Tijuca

By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Organizers of the 2017 Rock in Rio music festival announced on Monday, April 3rd, that...

Rio’s Big Four to Battle in Taça Rio and Campeonato Carioca Semis

By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Following this past Sunday's (April 2nd) pivotal final round of the 2017 Taça Rio, local...

Rio’s Flamengo, Fluminense See Action in Campeonato Carioca

By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - It was a busy night for local football (soccer) fans on Wednesday, March 29th, as...

Brazil’s Commercial Real Estate Prices Fall Again in February

By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - According to the latest FipeZAP Commercial Index, Brazil's commercial real estate continued to tumble from...

Rio’s Flamengo and Vasco Battle to Controversial 2×2 Draw

By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - For only the fourth time ever, on Sunday, March 26th, two of Rio's biggest football...

Brazil Overwhelms Uruguay 4×1 in World Cup Qualifying

By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - It was a showdown of the top two teams in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying...

Rio’s Olympic Village Apartments Expected to Hit Market in June

By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - On Monday, March 20th, Carvalho Hosken, the construction company behind the Olympic Village in Barra...

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