No less than 64 Killed in Rio's Most Extensive Security Action on Criminal Groups
At least 64 people died in a police operation cracking down on the criminal organization Comando Vermelho in Rio de Janeiro's north zone - the largest and deadliest raid in the region's history.
Four police officers were included in the fatalities during the police action in the Alemão and Penha districts, government representatives reported. Over 80 individuals were arrested.
Intense confrontations broke out when around 2,500 police forces initiated the operation on Tuesday early hours. The Red Command responded with shooting, igniting obstacles and using drone-dropped explosives, authorities confirmed.
The United Nations human rights body expressed being "appalled" by the security action, calling for "immediate and thorough inquiries".
Operation Impact
The area of favelas near the city's international airport is considered to be the central command of among the nation's strongest criminal organizations.
Government representatives confirmed a minimum of 50 of the fatalities were "identified by authorities as alleged offenders".
Numerous individuals were injured, including innocent bystanders trapped in shooting.
Resident Accounts
Residents have likened the elevated neighborhood - home to about 300,000 individuals - to a "battlefield" since the raid started.
Transport routes stay blocked in the entire neighborhood.
Organized Crime Spread
The criminal network has been growing their influence in the area, increasing drug trafficking routes and power in the informal settlements.
Local law enforcement reported over 200kg (441lb) of narcotics were captured in the mission, along with numerous weapons.
Mission Context
The combined action by various security forces comes after a twelve-month inquiry.
Dozens of the suspects are believed to be participants in an organization from the Pará state who are at the moment taking refuge in the metropolitan area.
Larger Framework
Extensive security missions are not uncommon in the country prior to important worldwide conferences in the nation.
The UN climate summit the climate conference is taking place in the northern urban center in late autumn.
