Desk Report:
At least 64 people have been killed in a massive police operation in Rio de Janeiro, one of Brazil’s largest cities. Four of the dead were police officers. Local security officials confirmed the incident to CNN Brazil. The operation and the deaths took place on Tuesday.
Rio de Janeiro state Governor Claudio Castro told reporters that a “large amount of drugs” had been seized in the operation. Authorities said on social media that at least 42 rifles had also been seized during the operation. In a post shared on X, Castro described the operation as “the largest operation in the history of Rio de Janeiro.”
Rio de Janeiro will host the C-40 World Mayors Summit next week. The incident took place as part of a regular crackdown on criminal gangs ahead of the event. Video shared by Reuters showed a huge plume of black smoke rising from the Alemao favela during the operation.
The Rio de Janeiro state government said the operation was carried out to prevent the territorial expansion of the “Comando Vermelo” criminal group. The government said the operation had been planned for more than a year and involved more than 2,500 military and civilian police officers.
The Commando Vermelo is Brazil’s oldest active criminal group. The organization of leftist prisoners was formed during Brazil’s military rule. Since then, the Red Command has grown into a large, international criminal group, involved in drug trafficking and criminal business.
At least 81 people were arrested on Tuesday, Rio de Janeiro police said. The gang members were accused of using drones against police during the operation. The government said the drones have even been used to attack law enforcement.
