RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL — The city of Rio de Janeiro is on
high alert following the deployment of an unprecedented police and military
operation against Comando Vermelho, the country's oldest and most powerful
criminal group. The offensive, which began several days ago and intensified
overnight, has left at least 132 dead and more than 80 detained, according to
preliminary figures from Brazilian authorities.
The operation, coordinated by federal and state forces and
special units, aims to regain control of drug-dominated territories in various
favelas in the city's north and west zones. However, the advance of law
enforcement has unleashed a wave of armed clashes, fires, and road blockades
that have left thousands of residents trapped in their homes.
During the early morning hours, dozens of bodies were found
in the streets and alleyways of communities like Complexo do Alemão, Maré, and
Cidade de Deus, where the violence reached its peak. Residents reported
incessant gunfire, explosions, and power outages, while helicopters circled
overhead in support of ground troops.
Comando Vermelho, founded in the 1970s within Rio's prison
system, has historically been one of the main players in organized crime in
Brazil, with networks extending to several states and neighboring countries. In
response to the operation, the group has blocked strategic avenues, set
vehicles on fire, and attacked police facilities in an attempt to halt the
authorities' advance.
The federal government has declared the situation a
“national security emergency” and announced the deployment of additional
military reinforcements, as well as the establishment of a joint command center
to coordinate control and humanitarian assistance efforts.
Local authorities have urged residents to avoid
non-essential travel, while schools, hospitals, and businesses remain closed in
the most affected areas.
“We are facing one of the most complex operations in
Brazil’s recent history,” a spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice stated.
“The goal is to restore order and guarantee the safety of citizens, but we
recognize the gravity of the situation.”
With tensions still rising, Rio de Janeiro is experiencing
one of the most violent nights in its contemporary history, while the country
watches with concern the outcome of this operation, which could redefine the
map of criminal power in Brazil.