A minimum of 64 Dead in Rio de Janeiro's Biggest Police Raid on Gangs
No less than 64 civilians were killed in a police operation against the Red Command gang in the Brazilian city's northern districts - the most extensive and fatal action in the area's records.
Four law enforcement personnel lost their lives during the security mission in the Alemão and Penha districts, state officials stated. More than 80 suspects were arrested.
Violent conflicts erupted when approximately 2,500 police forces initiated the operation on the morning of the operation. The criminal organization reacted using gunfire, setting fire to barriers and using drone-dropped explosives, authorities said.
The United Nations human rights body expressed being "appalled" by the law enforcement raid, calling for "swift and comprehensive examinations".
Raid Aftermath
The area of favelas close to the city's international airport is considered to be the central command of among the nation's strongest organised crime groups.
Government representatives confirmed a minimum of 50 of the deceased were "identified by authorities as alleged offenders".
Dozens of people were wounded, including non-combatants affected by the violence.
Community Response
Locals have compared the hillside area - housing around 300,000 individuals - to a "combat area" since the operation began.
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.
Security forces said over 200kg (441lb) of illegal substances were confiscated in the operation, in addition to multiple guns.
Operation Background
The coordinated mission by different law enforcement agencies follows a year-long investigation.
Many of the individuals are thought to be participants in an organization from the northern region who are at the moment taking refuge in the metropolitan area.
Broader Context
Large-scale police operations are frequent in Brazil prior to important worldwide conferences in the country.
The UN climate summit the environmental summit is taking place in the northern urban center in November.
