At least 64 Fatally Wounded in Rio's Largest Police Raid on Organized Crime
No less than 64 people were killed in a security raid cracking down on the organized crime group in the Brazilian city's northern suburbs - the biggest and most lethal operation in the region's history.
Four law enforcement personnel lost their lives during the security mission in the Alemão and Penha districts, local authorities said. More than 80 people were taken into custody.
Fierce clashes erupted when around 2,500 law enforcement officers entered the area on Tuesday early hours. The Comando Vermelho reacted using gunfire, setting fire to barriers and launching explosives via unmanned aircraft, authorities said.
The United Nations human rights body said it was "shocked" by the police operation, urging "immediate and thorough inquiries".
Raid Aftermath
The area of favelas near the city's international airport is seen as the headquarters of among the nation's strongest criminal organizations.
State officials said no less than 50 of the deceased were "indicated by police as suspected of being criminals".
Numerous individuals were wounded, including non-combatants affected by the violence.
Local Reaction
Community members have compared the mountainous region - home to about 300,000 individuals - to a "battlefield" since the raid started.
Access ways continue shut in the entire neighborhood.
Organized Crime Spread
The Comando Vermelho organization has been growing their control throughout the region, expanding narcotics distribution networks and power in the informal settlements.
Rio's police reported in excess of 200kg (441lb) of drugs were captured in the raid, together with multiple guns.
Mission Context
The combined action by different law enforcement agencies comes after a year-long investigation.
Dozens of the suspects are thought to be affiliates of a group from the Brazilian state who are presently concealed in the metropolitan area.
Wider Perspective
Large-scale police operations are frequent in the country before major international events in the nation.
The international environmental meeting COP30 is scheduled in the city of Belem in the north in the eleventh month.
