UPDATE: A devastating police operation in Rio de Janeiro has resulted in a staggering death toll of at least 132 people, marking it as the deadliest police raid in Brazil’s history. This shocking development comes just days before the city prepares to host global climate events, including the COP30 summit.
Late last night, residents discovered dozens of corpses collected from a wooded area behind their neighborhood, with over 70 bodies laid out in the street. Eyewitnesses reported that many of the deceased were brought out by distraught family members searching for loved ones. “I just want to take my son out of here and bury him,” lamented Taua Brito, a mother mourning one of the victims amid a crowd of weeping onlookers.
The raid was aimed at dismantling the notorious Comando Vermelho gang, which controls drug trafficking in several favelas across the city. Rio Governor Claudio Castro confirmed that the initial death toll of 64 — which included four police officers — was underestimated as it only accounted for bodies processed in the public morgue.
Governor Castro defended the operation, asserting that the majority of those killed were criminals. “I don’t think anyone would be walking in the forest on the day of the conflict,” he stated, emphasizing that the only real victims were the police officers involved.
As international attention turns to Brazil ahead of COP30, the operation’s timing raises significant concerns. The United Nations Human Rights Office criticized the high casualty rate, highlighting the ongoing issue of extreme violence during police raids in marginalized communities. “We remind authorities of their obligations under international human rights law, and urge prompt and effective investigations,” the office stated.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who returned to Brasilia from Malaysia late Tuesday, has not yet publicly addressed the events. Reports indicate he met with cabinet members, including Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, to discuss the fallout from the raids. However, Lula’s justice minister revealed that the federal government had not received any requests for support from state authorities regarding the operation.
This unprecedented police action has sparked outrage among civil society groups, who argue that the military-style raid disproportionately affects vulnerable communities. As the situation evolves, the focus remains on the implications for public safety, human rights, and the international community’s response to Brazil’s policing strategies.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as the world watches closely.
