No less than 64 Dead in Rio's Largest Security Action on Organized Crime
No less than 64 civilians died in a police operation cracking down on the organized crime group in the Brazilian city's northern districts - the biggest and most lethal operation in the Brazilian state's records.
Four police officers were among those killed during the police action in the neighborhoods of AlemĂŁo and Penha, state officials reported. Over 80 people were arrested.
Violent conflicts erupted when about 2,500 law enforcement officers initiated the operation on Tuesday morning. The Red Command countered with gunfire, setting fire to barriers and using drone-dropped explosives, authorities stated.
The International human rights organization expressed being "appalled" by the security action, demanding "immediate and thorough inquiries".
Operation Impact
The area of favelas near Rio's airport is considered to be the central command of a major illegal networks.
Government representatives said a minimum of 50 of the fatalities were "indicated by police as suspected of being criminals".
Dozens of people were wounded, including non-combatants affected by the violence.
Resident Accounts
Residents have likened the elevated neighborhood - housing around 300,000 individuals - to a "battlefield" since the raid started.
Access ways continue shut throughout the region.
Criminal Expansion
The Red Command group have been expanding their control throughout the region, expanding narcotics distribution networks and control of the hillside favelas.
Rio's police reported in excess of 200kg (441lb) of drugs were confiscated in the operation, together with numerous weapons.
Mission Context
The joint operation by civil and military police was preceded by a twelve-month inquiry.
Numerous alleged criminals are believed to be participants in an organization from the northern region who are at the moment taking refuge in the metropolitan area.
Wider Perspective
Major law enforcement actions are frequent in the South American nation before major international events in the nation.
The international environmental meeting COP30 is set to occur in the northern city of Belem in the eleventh month.
