At least 132 people were killed in a massive Rio police raid that turned parts of Brazil’s second-largest city into a war zone. The deadly operation targeted the powerful Red Command gang, marking one of the bloodiest Rio police raids in Brazil’s history.
The violent clash unfolded in the northern favelas of Alemão and Penha, where heavily armed officers stormed gang strongholds early Tuesday morning. Witnesses described scenes of chaos and terror as residents fled their homes amid constant gunfire, burning buses, and exploding drones.
According to Brazil’s public defender’s office, 132 people died during the operation, including four police officers. Officials said many bodies were recovered from a wooded hillside where the Rio police raid reached its most intense phase. Grieving families gathered in the streets, lining up bodies to protest what they called a massacre.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed shock at the scale of the deaths and ordered a full investigation. The United Nations Human Rights Office also voiced outrage, calling the violence horrifying and urging accountability.
Governor Cláudio Castro defended the operation, claiming those killed were gang members involved in narco-terrorism. He said the Rio police raid was planned for months to dismantle the Red Command’s control over large sections of the city. Police arrested more than 100 suspects and seized weapons, drugs, and vehicles during the sweep.
Still, community leaders and human rights groups questioned the tactics used, warning that such heavy-handed crackdowns rarely stop organized crime. Critics argue that operations like the Rio police raid often target low-level suspects while failing to capture top gang leaders.
The deadly confrontation comes just days before Rio is set to host major international events, including the C40 World Mayors Summit and the Earthshot Prize, raising concerns about Brazil’s global image.
Residents say they fear more violence ahead, as tensions between police and gangs continue to escalate in the city’s favelas.
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