In Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian police reported that the death toll resulting from a major police operation targeting a notorious gang had climbed to 119 by Wednesday, including four police officers. The operation involved 2,500 police and soldiers and resulted in clashes in two low-income neighborhoods of the city. The number of suspected gang members arrested increased to 113 from the initial count of 81, according to police spokesperson Felipe Curi.
The operation, aimed at the Red Command gang in the sprawling favelas of Complexo de Alemao and Penha, was described as one of the most violent in Brazil’s recent history. Human rights organizations have called for thorough investigations into the fatalities. Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski expressed surprise at the high casualty count and stated that the federal government was not given prior notice of the raids. He plans to meet with provincial officials in Rio.
The raid, which included helicopters and armored vehicles, took place ahead of Rio hosting the C40 global summit of mayors focusing on climate change. The event serves as a prelude to COP30, the United Nations climate summit scheduled for November in Belem, in the Amazon city.
Notably, the United Nations’ human rights body expressed horror over the deadly police operation and urged for comprehensive investigations in line with international human rights law. Human Rights Watch in Brazil labeled the events as a “huge tragedy” and a “disaster,” emphasizing the need for independent investigations into each death by the public prosecutor’s office.
Social media footage captured fire and smoke emanating from the favelas during the operation, with gunfire echoing in the background. The city’s Education Department reported the closure of 46 schools in the affected areas, and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro canceled night classes, advising individuals on campus to seek shelter. Suspected gang members retaliated by blocking roads in northern and southeastern Rio, seizing around 70 buses for blockades that caused significant disruptions, as per reports from local media.
The police operation followed a year-long investigation into the criminal group. Amid the aftermath, political figures expressed differing views on the federal government’s role in combating crime, with calls for more support and coordinated actions to address organized crime in the region. The Red Command gang, emerging from Rio’s prisons, has extended its influence in favelas in recent years.
Rio has a history of deadly police raids, with past incidents claiming numerous lives. The recent operation drew criticism for its scale and impact, prompting calls for a reevaluation of public security policies in Rio de Janeiro. The Marielle Franco Institute, founded in memory of the slain councilwoman, condemned the operation as an “extermination policy” that disproportionately affects marginalized communities, denouncing it as a threat to the lives of Black and underprivileged individuals.
