Rio de Janeiro has witnessed one of its deadliest police operations in history, targeting the powerful criminal faction Comando Vermelho. The operation involved 2,500 officers and resulted in a several-hour-long shootout. At least 64 people, including four police officers, were killed, and 81 individuals were detained. Residents of the favelas, outraged, recovered over 50 bodies the following day, placing them in a main square and condemning the raid as a "massacre."
Brazil's Minister of Justice and Public Security, Ricardo Lewandowski, commented on the situation, stating: "If the governor of Rio de Janeiro feels he cannot handle it, he has to throw in the towel and request a federal intervention." He also expressed condolences to the families of the fallen officers and "the innocents who perished."
Lewandowski condemned the "brute force" used in the operation, emphasizing that the strategy to combat crime must be based on intelligence and institutional coordination. He cited "Operation Hidden Carbon" in São Paulo as a successful example, where no one died and the criminal organization was dismantled.
Comando Vermelho is Brazil's second-largest criminal organization, involved in drug and arms trafficking. Founded in a Rio de Janeiro prison in 1979, it has expanded to other states in recent years, with its main rival being the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) based in São Paulo.
The police operation took place just days before Rio de Janeiro is set to host major international events for the UN Climate Change Conference COP30, including the C40 World Mayors Summit and the Earthshot Prize.
