At Least 64 Killed in Rio\u2019s Deadliest Police Operation
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At least 64 people have been killed in Rio de Janeiro\u2019s worst day of violence as more than 2,500 security personnel stormed favelas near the city\u2019s international airport, The Guardian reported. The large-scale predawn raid targeted areas of Alem\u00e3o and Penha, considered strongholds of the Red Command, one of Brazil\u2019s most powerful criminal factions. <\/p>\n
Officials said the operation\u2014dubbed \u201cOperation Containment\u201d\u2014was launched to arrest gang leaders accused of expanding their influence across Rio and other parts of the country. Gun battles erupted as drug traffickers set up barricades, torched vehicles, and reportedly deployed weaponised drones against advancing forces.<\/p>\n
By afternoon, authorities confirmed at least 64 fatalities, including four police officers. Eight police personnel and four residents were wounded. More than 80 suspects were arrested, and 75 automatic rifles were seized in what officials called the largest police mission since 2010.<\/p>\n
Rio\u2019s governor, Cl\u00e1udio Castro, described the situation as \u201ca war against narco-terrorism,\u201d saying police had been placed on high alert for potential retaliation. Security Secretary Victor Santos said the operation aimed to curb the Red Command\u2019s growing territorial control. Residents reported hours of continuous gunfire, while activists and human rights groups condemned the bloodshed as excessive and ineffective. <\/p>\n
Community journalist Rene Silva criticised authorities for targeting impoverished areas instead of tackling the drug trade\u2019s roots. Opposition politicians called the raid a \u201cstate-sponsored massacre,\u201d recalling a 2021 operation that left 28 dead. Witnesses said gunfire persisted into Tuesday evening as fears of further clashes mounted.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
At Least 64 Killed in Rio\u2019s Deadliest Police Operation ………… At least 64 people have been killed in Rio de Janeiro\u2019s worst day of violence as more than 2,500 security personnel stormed favelas near the city\u2019s international airport, The Guardian reported. The large-scale predawn raid targeted areas of Alem\u00e3o and Penha, considered strongholds of the …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":136158,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_108372464460192_245495985553329":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[9184],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-136159","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-brazil"],"yoast_head":"\n