Background on the Situation
A massive police operation targeting organized crime in Brazil resulted in 64 fatalities, the highest death toll recorded, just days before the COP30 climate summit in Rio de Janeiro. The operation, which took place on Tuesday, aimed at a large criminal group in the city that has previously hosted significant events such as the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the 2016 Olympic Games, the G20 summit in 2024, and the BRICS meeting this year.
Upcoming Events in Rio
Next week, Rio will host the C40 Mayors Summit on climate change and Prince William’s Earthshot Prize, featuring celebrities like pop star Kylie Minogue and four-time Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel. These events are part of the preparations for COP30, the United Nations climate summit taking place in the Amazonian city of Belem from November 10 to 21.
Details of the Police Operation
According to Rio’s governor, Claudio Castro, the operation involved 2,500 security personnel and 32 armored vehicles targeting the criminal group Comando Vermelho in the favelas of Alemao and Penha. Favelas are impoverished, densely populated neighborhoods on Rio’s periphery.
The police released videos showing suspects using armed drones with grenades against law enforcement and men fleeing into nearby woodlands. After intense fighting subsided, witnesses reported special operations police units cornering dozens of unclothed men, with distraught family members gathered outside a public hospital treating the injured.
Government Response and Criticism
Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski stated that the federal government had not received any requests for assistance from state authorities prior to the “bloody” operation, adding that he followed events through media reports. Governor Castro reported that at least 81 individuals were arrested while attempting to execute 250 warrants for detention and search, according to the state government.
Approximately 50 healthcare and educational facilities were disrupted due to the clashes, and bus routes had to be altered to avoid gunfire. However, some civil society groups criticized the high death toll in a military-style operation. Carolina Ricardo, executive director of the Sou da Paz security reflection group, called it a tragedy.
Key Questions and Answers
- What was the police operation about? The operation targeted the criminal group Comando Vermelho in Rio’s Alemao and Penha favelas, involving 2,500 security personnel and 32 armored vehicles.
- Why was this operation significant? It occurred just days before the COP30 climate summit in Rio, which will host important events like the C40 Mayors Summit and Prince William’s Earthshot Prize.
- How many people died in the operation? At least 64 people, including four police officers, were reported dead in the operation.
- What criticisms did the operation face? Civil society groups, like Sou da Paz, criticized the high death toll and deemed the approach ineffective, as it did not focus on disrupting drug production chain links.
