A police operation targeting a notorious gang in Rio de Janeiro resulted in the death of 119 individuals, including four police officers, as per Brazilian authorities. The operation, conducted by 2,500 police and soldiers in two low-income neighborhoods, initially reported 60 suspected gang members and four police casualties but later revealed 113 arrested suspects, an increase from the initial 81. The intense operation, deemed one of Brazil’s most violent, has sparked calls from human rights organizations for thorough investigations into the fatalities.
The Justice Minister mentioned that the federal government was not informed in advance about the raids, leaving President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva shocked by the high number of casualties. In response, the minister plans to meet with provincial officials in Rio to address the situation.
The operation involved the use of helicopters and armored vehicles and was aimed at dismantling the Red Command gang in the sprawling favelas of Complexo de Alemao and Penha. This crackdown took place just before Rio was set to host the C40 global summit, focusing on climate change, leading up to the upcoming COP30, the United Nations climate summit scheduled for November in Belem, located in the Amazon region.
The United Nations’ human rights body expressed horror at the deadly police operation, urging for comprehensive investigations and reminding authorities of their obligations under international human rights laws. 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 depicted flames and smoke billowing from the favelas during the operation, with gunfire echoing in the background. The Education Department had to close 46 schools in the affected areas, while the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro suspended night classes and advised people on campus to seek shelter. Responding to the raid, suspected gang members blocked roads in various parts of Rio, seizing around 70 buses for blockades, causing significant disruptions.
The police operation followed a year-long investigation into the criminal group, aimed at combating the Red Command gang’s growing influence in favelas. The political landscape saw contrasting views, with some advocating for increased federal support to combat crime, while others highlighted recent government actions against organized crime. The Red Command gang, originating from Rio’s prisons, has expanded its control over favelas in recent years, leading to heightened security operations in the region.
Rio has a history of deadly police raids, with past incidents claiming numerous lives. The recent operation, though not uncommon in its approach, stood out due to the unprecedented scale of casualties, drawing criticism from experts who deemed the operation inefficient in targeting the core leadership of criminal factions. The Marielle Franco Institute, founded in memory of the slain councilwoman, condemned the operation as a policy of extermination that disproportionately affects marginalized communities, emphasizing the need for a more strategic and effective public security approach.
