No less than 64 Killed in Rio's Biggest Police Raid on Gangs
A minimum of 64 people lost their lives in a security raid targeting the Red Command gang in Rio de Janeiro's north zone - the largest and deadliest raid in the region's past.
Four law enforcement personnel were included in the fatalities during the police action in the neighborhoods of Alemão and Penha, state officials said. Over 80 individuals were detained.
Fierce clashes broke out when around 2,500 police forces initiated the operation on Tuesday morning. The criminal organization reacted using gunfire, igniting obstacles and using drone-dropped explosives, officials said.
The UN Human Rights Office expressed being "shocked" by the security action, calling for "prompt and effective investigations".
Raid Aftermath
The area of favelas close to the aerial transportation hub is considered to be the main base of among the nation's strongest criminal organizations.
Government representatives confirmed no less than 50 of those killed were "indicated by police as suspected of being criminals".
Many residents were hurt, including innocent bystanders trapped in shooting.
Community Response
Community members have compared the elevated neighborhood - housing around 300,000 people - to a "battlefield" since the mission commenced.
Roads remain closed across the area.
Organized Crime Spread
The criminal network has been growing their influence in the area, expanding narcotics distribution networks and dominance over the slum communities.
Rio's police said over 200kg (441lb) of illegal substances were confiscated in the operation, in addition to multiple guns.
Raid Preparation
The joint operation by various security forces comes after a year-long investigation.
Many of the individuals are thought to be participants in an organization from the Brazilian state who are at the moment taking refuge in the metropolitan area.
Wider Perspective
Extensive security missions are frequent in the country prior to major international events in the South American nation.
The United Nations climate conference COP30 is set to occur in the northern urban center in the eleventh month.
