A minimum of 64 Fatally Wounded in Rio de Janeiro's Biggest Law Enforcement Operation on Gangs
At least 64 people lost their lives in a security raid against the criminal organization Comando Vermelho in the Brazilian city's northern districts - the biggest and most lethal operation in the region's past.
Four police officers lost their lives during the security mission in the neighborhoods of Alemão and Penha, government representatives reported. More than 80 people were detained.
Intense confrontations commenced when approximately 2,500 police forces initiated the operation on Tuesday morning. The Comando Vermelho responded with shooting, setting fire to barriers and using drone-dropped explosives, authorities said.
The UN Human Rights Office stated it felt "shocked" by the law enforcement raid, calling for "swift and comprehensive examinations".
Mission Consequences
The informal settlements adjacent to the city's international airport is seen as the headquarters of one of Brazil's most powerful organised crime groups.
Local authorities said a minimum of 50 of the fatalities were "indicated by police as suspected of being criminals".
Dozens of people were wounded, including innocent bystanders trapped in shooting.
Local Reaction
Locals have described the elevated neighborhood - home to about 300,000 individuals - to a "battlefield" since the raid started.
Transport routes stay blocked in the entire neighborhood.
Criminal Expansion
The Red Command group have been expanding their control throughout the region, expanding narcotics distribution networks and dominance over the slum communities.
Local law enforcement reported more than 200kg (441lb) of illegal substances were confiscated in the operation, along with numerous weapons.
Mission Context
The combined action by civil and military police was preceded by a twelve-month inquiry.
Many of the individuals are believed to be participants in an organization from the northern region who are currently hiding in the metropolitan area.
Wider Perspective
Large-scale police operations are frequent in the South American nation before major international events in the South American nation.
The UN climate summit the environmental summit is set to occur in the northern city of Belem in late autumn.
