Rio de Janeiro witnessed one of the deadliest police operations in its history this week, leaving at least 60 people dead, including four officers. The large-scale law enforcement raid targeted criminal gangs operating in the city&rsquo;s northern favelas, in what authorities are calling Operation Containment.
Governor Claudio Castro confirmed the figures, saying 60 &ldquo;criminals&rdquo; had been &ldquo;neutralised&rdquo; and 81 suspects arrested. &ldquo;What do we want? A Rio de Janeiro and a Brazil free of crime. We will not retreat,&rdquo; Castro said in a statement, defending the unprecedented crackdown. The operation was reportedly the largest ever against the powerful Comando Vermelho (Red Command), a notorious drug cartel that dominates much of Rio&rsquo;s narcotics trade.
Around 2,500 officers took part in the mission, using armoured vehicles and helicopters as they raided the Alemao and Penha favela complexes, densely packed neighbourhoods often controlled by gangs or militias. Gunfire erupted soon after police entered the area, resulting in dozens of casualties. Witnesses said stray bullets hit bystanders, and families were seen pleading to recover bodies left on the streets. &ldquo;These are relatives of people taken here who are very angry,&rdquo; said one local reporter. &ldquo;They say there are still 20 bodies up the hill they can&rsquo;t reach.&rdquo;
The Comando Vermelho gang has long been central to Brazil&rsquo;s cocaine trafficking network, working with Colombian and Amazonian suppliers. According to government data, Brazil recorded over 180,000 drug trafficking incidents in 2023 and seized nearly 130,000 kilograms of cocaine, making it the world&rsquo;s second-largest consumer after the United States.
Human rights advocates have condemned the operation&rsquo;s brutality, calling it a &ldquo;massacre&rdquo; ahead of next week&rsquo;s high-profile events in Rio, including the C40 World Mayors Summit and Prince William&rsquo;s Earthshot Prize. Critics argue that large-scale police crackdowns often intensify before global gatherings. With Brazil preparing for elections in 2026, the issue of law enforcement and gang violence is expected to dominate the national debate.

60 Killed in Brazil’s Deadliest Police Raid

Rio de Janeiro sees bloodiest police operation in history; over 60 killed in drug raid

80 Killed in Brazil’s Deadliest Police Raid

Rio de Janeiro sees bloodiest police operation in history; over 60 killed in drug raid

October 29, 2025 | 16:22 IST