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.
Rio de Janeiro City Hall Postpones Fee on New VLT Line
By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - On Monday, February 13th, Rio City Hall announced that the VLT's (Light Rail Vehicle) new...
Flamengo Eliminates Rival Botafogo 2×1 in Rio’s Engenhão
By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - On Sunday, February 12th, the 2017 Campeonato Carioca edged closer to closing out stage one...
Rio’s Botafogo Advances to Copa Libertadores Qualifying Finals
By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - On Wednesday, February 8th, Rio's Botafogo football (soccer) club traveled to Santiago, Chile to play...
Rio’s Abandoned Olympic Park Disappoints Visitors
By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Six months after the Rio 2016 Olympics, the Olympic Park in Barra da Tijuca finally hosted...
Rio Open Tennis Tournament Kicks Off February 20th
By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – In two weeks the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) will make its annual early season...
Rio Officials Negotiating Sale of Olympic Apartments to Civil Workers
By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Six months removed from the mega-spectacle that was the 2016 Rio Olympics, local news is...
Rio de Janeiro Commercial Real Estate Prices Still Highest in Brazil
By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - According to the latest FipeZap Commercial Real Estate Index, in December 2016, Rio de Janeiro...
Rio’s Big Four Kick Off the 2017 Campeonato Carioca
By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO - This past weekend, Rio de Janeiro state’s top football (soccer) clubs returned to the pitch with...
Italian Tourist Killed in Rio After Accidentally Entering Favela
By Nelson Belen and Ciara Long, Contributing Reporters
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Late Thursday, December 8th, local news outlets reported that Italian tourist Roberto...
Exploring the New Centro and Port Zone of Rio de Janeiro
By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - In the run up to the mega-spectacle that was the Rio 2016 Olympics, perhaps no...
Grêmio Wins Copa do Brasil for Fifth Time
By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - In an emotional and intense matchup, on Wednesday, December 7th, Grêmio drew 1x1 with Atlético-MG...
Military Police and Protesters Clash in Rio’s Centro
By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - On Tuesday (December 6th) afternoon, the normally busy streets of Rio’s commercial Centro neighborhood resembled...
In Brazil, Over 1 Million Homes to Produce Own Energy by 2024
By Nelson Belen and Ciara Long, Contributing Reporters
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - According to estimates from Brazil's National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL), by 2024,...
Visiting the Newly Refurbished Parks in Rio’s Zona Sul
By Nelson Belen and Ciara Long, Contributing Reporters
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - One of the most important legacy projects of the Rio 2016 Olympics...