I just mentioned the Rio gig as it was a yearly thing and really more about my love of the event/city/people/culture- Otherwise, I visit Brazil, several parts, multiple times a year.
My main point was not buying into fear, using one's head as an experienced traveler and if it feels wrong, turn around and leave immediately. I'm not encouraging people to take insane risks, but frankly, most Americans sit on their couch and grandstand about these kinds of things, never having actually traveled a day in their lives.
If I let the media or government tell me where to go based on red-banner warnings, I'd never have seen some incredible places