At least 22 dead in Rio de Janeiro police operation ahead of climate summit events
The Brazilian city prepares to host major global climate summit events amidst a large-scale police operation against organized crime.
RIO DE JANEIRO: At least 22 people, including four police officers, were killed in a large-scale operation against organized crime in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday.
The state government announced the operation, which involved 2,500 security personnel and 32 armored vehicles across the Alemao and Penha favela complexes.
The operation targeted the Comando Vermelho gang, described by the state government as the largest ever against this organization.
At least 56 people have been arrested as authorities sought to serve 250 arrest and search warrants.
The complexes are poor, densely populated settlements on Rio’s outskirts where drug trafficking is suspected among the 18 non-police fatalities.
The operation's timing is significant as Rio prepares to host several major events related to the COP30 global climate summit scheduled for November in northern Brazil.
These include the C40 summit of global mayors and Prince William’s Earthshot Prize, featuring international celebrities like pop star Kylie Minogue and Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel.
Such events have seen large-scale police operations become common ahead of their commencement in Rio, which previously hosted significant international gatherings including the 2014 World Cup, the 2016 Olympics, and the 2024 G20 summit as well as the BRICS summit earlier this year.
Despite the operation's intensity, with around 50 health and education facilities experiencing disruptions and bus routes needing to be altered due to gunfire, authorities remain committed to their efforts against narcoterrorism.
The governor emphasized this commitment through social media announcements.
The state government announced the operation, which involved 2,500 security personnel and 32 armored vehicles across the Alemao and Penha favela complexes.
The operation targeted the Comando Vermelho gang, described by the state government as the largest ever against this organization.
At least 56 people have been arrested as authorities sought to serve 250 arrest and search warrants.
The complexes are poor, densely populated settlements on Rio’s outskirts where drug trafficking is suspected among the 18 non-police fatalities.
The operation's timing is significant as Rio prepares to host several major events related to the COP30 global climate summit scheduled for November in northern Brazil.
These include the C40 summit of global mayors and Prince William’s Earthshot Prize, featuring international celebrities like pop star Kylie Minogue and Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel.
Such events have seen large-scale police operations become common ahead of their commencement in Rio, which previously hosted significant international gatherings including the 2014 World Cup, the 2016 Olympics, and the 2024 G20 summit as well as the BRICS summit earlier this year.
Despite the operation's intensity, with around 50 health and education facilities experiencing disruptions and bus routes needing to be altered due to gunfire, authorities remain committed to their efforts against narcoterrorism.
The governor emphasized this commitment through social media announcements.
