Rio Police Launch Deadliest Raid Against Red Command Gang

A recent police operation in Rio de Janeiro targeting the notorious Comando Vermelho gang resulted in the deadliest police raid in Brazil's history, with over 120 fatalities, including gang members, police officers, and civilians. The raids saw 2,500 heavily armed police officers and soldiers confront well-armed gangsters in favelas like Penha and Complexo de Alemao, leading to intense gun battles, fires, and widespread destruction. Drone footage and eyewitness accounts revealed bodies scattered on busy streets and in forested hills, with local residents forced to carry out the grim task of recovering the dead due to limited state support. The operation drew criticism and shock amid ongoing debates about police brutality and the state's handling of security in impoverished communities. While authorities defended the use of lethal force as necessary against "narco-terrorists," the community's response highlighted a profound sense of abandonment and mistrust toward law enforcement. This violent crackdown occurred just before major international events in Brazil, underscoring the persistent challenges Brazil faces with organized crime and public safety.