At least 64 Dead in Rio de Janeiro's Most Extensive Security Action on Criminal Groups
At least 64 individuals died in a police operation against the Red Command gang in the Brazilian city's northern suburbs - the largest and deadliest raid in the region's records.
Four security agents lost their lives during the police action in the Alemão and Penha districts, local authorities stated. Over 80 individuals were taken into custody.
Intense confrontations broke out when about 2,500 law enforcement officers initiated the operation on Tuesday early hours. The criminal organization reacted using gunfire, setting fire to barriers and launching explosives via unmanned aircraft, officials said.
The UN Human Rights Office said it was "shocked" by the police operation, urging "prompt and effective investigations".
Mission Consequences
The area of favelas close to the city's international airport is regarded as the main base of a major criminal organizations.
Local authorities said a minimum of 50 of the deceased were "identified by authorities as alleged offenders".
Dozens of people were hurt, including innocent bystanders trapped in shooting.
Local Reaction
Community members have likened the hillside area - housing around 300,000 people - to a "war zone" since the raid started.
Transport routes stay blocked in the entire neighborhood.
Organized Crime Spread
The Red Command group has been growing their influence in the area, expanding narcotics distribution networks and control of the hillside favelas.
Local law enforcement stated more than 200kg (441lb) of narcotics were captured in the raid, together with multiple guns.
Raid Preparation
The coordinated mission by different law enforcement agencies comes after a year-long investigation.
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
Major law enforcement actions are regular in the country prior to major international events in the country.
The United Nations climate conference the environmental summit is taking place in the northern city of Belem in late autumn.
