At least 64 people have been killed in a police operation against the Red Commando gang in the northern suburbs of Rio de Janeiro.
Four police officers were among the dead, Rio de Janeiro state governor Claudio Castro said. More than 80 people have been arrested. Both civilian and military police are involved in the operation.
About 2,500 police entered the favelas in the morning, and clashes soon broke out. The Red Commando (Comando Vermelho) responded with gunfire, burning barricades, and drones dropping bombs.
There are also reports of dozens of injuries, including civilians caught in the crossfire.
The favela area near Rio de Janeiro’s airport is considered a hub for one of Brazil’s most powerful criminal gangs.
The state government said about 50 of the dead were “marked by the police as suspected criminals.”
The UN human rights office said it was “appalled” by the actions of Brazilian police and called for a “swift and effective investigation.”
In Brazil, primary police operations often take place on the eve of major international events. The UN COP30 climate summit will be held in the northern city of Belém in November.
