Brazilian police reported that the death toll from a massive police crackdown on a notorious gang in Rio de Janeiro climbed to 119 on Wednesday, including four officers. Initially, authorities had stated that the operation led to the deaths of 60 suspected gang members and four police officers. The number of suspects taken into custody rose to 113 from the previous count of 81, as per police spokesperson Felipe Curi.
The operation, involving 2,500 police and soldiers, targeted the Red Command gang in the low-income favelas of Complexo de Alemao and Penha. The intense crackdown, which utilized helicopters and armored vehicles, triggered clashes in the neighborhoods. The raid took place ahead of Rio hosting the C40 global summit next week, as part of the build-up to the upcoming UN climate summit.
The deadly police action was met with criticism from human rights organizations, with calls for thorough investigations into the deaths. Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski revealed that the federal government was unaware of the raids in advance, leading President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to express shock over the high casualty count. Lewandowski announced plans to meet with local officials in Rio to address the situation.
The United Nations’ human rights body expressed horror at the operation, urging for effective investigations and reminding authorities of their international human rights obligations. Human Rights Watch in Brazil labeled the events as a “huge tragedy” and a “disaster,” calling for independent investigations to clarify the circumstances of each death.
Footage circulated on social media depicted fire and smoke engulfing the favelas during the operation, with reports of suspected gang members blocking roads and commandeering buses for blockades in response to the police crackdown. The operation, following a year-long investigation into the criminal group, was marked by its unprecedented scale of casualties.
Sociologist and public safety expert Luis Flavio Sapori criticized the operation, highlighting its inefficiency in capturing key figures within criminal organizations. He emphasized the need for a strategic overhaul in Rio de Janeiro’s public security policies to address the root causes of violence in the city. The Marielle Franco Institute condemned the operation, denouncing it as a policy of extermination that disproportionately affects marginalized communities.