The governor of Rio de Janeiro state, Claudio Castro, described the operation as the "largest in history" for this southeastern Brazilian state. Armed clashes turned some of Rio de Janeiro's streets into a battlefield, leaving at least 64 people dead. This followed a large-scale police operation against drug traffickers. The operation, which involved about 2,500 security personnel supported by armored vehicles and helicopters, targeted one of the country's largest drug trafficking gangs in two favela communities. The streets saw fierce fighting, and videos shared on social media showed thick columns of smoke rising amid the loud sounds of intense gunfire.
