A minimum of 64 Fatally Wounded in Rio's Biggest Police Raid on Criminal Groups
At least 64 individuals lost their lives in a law enforcement action targeting the Red Command gang in Rio de Janeiro's northern districts - the largest and deadliest raid in the Brazilian state's history.
Four police officers were among those killed during the police action in the neighborhoods of Alemão and Penha, government representatives said. Over 80 people were taken into custody.
Fierce clashes erupted when about 2,500 security personnel moved in on Tuesday early hours. The Red Command reacted using shooting, setting fire to barriers and launching explosives via unmanned aircraft, officials stated.
The UN Human Rights Office stated it felt "shocked" by the law enforcement raid, demanding "immediate and thorough inquiries".
Mission Consequences
The informal settlements close to the aerial transportation hub is regarded as the main base of among the nation's strongest criminal organizations.
Government representatives confirmed at least 50 of the fatalities were "indicated by police as suspected of being criminals".
Many residents were hurt, including non-combatants affected by the violence.
Local Reaction
Community members have likened the elevated neighborhood - home to about 300,000 people - to a "combat area" since the mission commenced.
Access ways continue shut in the entire neighborhood.
Organized Crime Spread
The Red Command group have been expanding their influence in the area, increasing drug trafficking routes and control of the hillside favelas.
Security forces said over 200kg (441lb) of drugs were confiscated in the operation, in addition to dozens of firearms.
Mission Context
The combined action by different law enforcement agencies follows a extended probe.
Many of the individuals are thought to be participants in an organization from the Pará state who are currently hiding in the city.
Wider Perspective
Major law enforcement actions are regular in the country ahead of important worldwide conferences in the nation.
The international environmental meeting the climate conference is taking place in the city of Belem in the north in the eleventh month.
