Peace is over in Santa Marta, Rio's model favela In 2008 the Santa Marta favela, in the heart of Rio de Janeiro, was the first slum to be pacified. Already known for providing the backdrop for a Michael Jackson video clip, Santa Marta has rapidly become a model and an unmissable tourist spot. But today, like in most of Rio’s favela, drug traffickers are back and tension is rife with the residents.