No less than 64 Fatally Wounded in Rio de Janeiro's Most Extensive Security Action on Gangs
No less than 64 civilians died in a police operation against the criminal organization Comando Vermelho in the Brazilian city's north zone - the biggest and most lethal operation in the region's past.
Four police officers lost their lives during the police action in the neighborhoods of Alemão and Penha, government representatives said. More than 80 individuals were detained.
Intense confrontations erupted when about 2,500 security personnel initiated the operation on Tuesday early hours. The Comando Vermelho reacted using armed resistance, igniting obstacles and using drone-dropped explosives, authorities stated.
The United Nations human rights body said it was "appalled" by the security action, calling for "prompt and effective investigations".
Mission Consequences
The area of favelas adjacent to the city's international airport is seen as the headquarters of among the nation's strongest criminal organizations.
State officials confirmed a minimum of 50 of the fatalities were "identified by authorities as alleged offenders".
Numerous individuals were hurt, including innocent bystanders trapped in shooting.
Local Reaction
Community members have described the elevated neighborhood - home to about 300,000 people - to a "battlefield" since the raid started.
Roads remain closed across the area.
Organized Crime Spread
The Comando Vermelho organization have been expanding their control throughout the region, expanding narcotics distribution networks and dominance over the slum communities.
Rio's police stated more than 200kg (441lb) of narcotics were captured in the operation, in addition to numerous weapons.
Operation Background
The coordinated mission by civil and military police follows a twelve-month inquiry.
Dozens of the suspects are believed to be members of a faction from the Brazilian state who are at the moment taking refuge in the metropolitan area.
Wider Perspective
Extensive security missions are not uncommon in Brazil prior to significant global gatherings in the South American nation.
The UN climate summit the environmental summit is scheduled in the northern city of Belem in late autumn.