Death Toll in Rio de Janeiro Police Raid Rises to 119

A police operation in Rio de Janeiro's Penha and Complexo do Alemão favelas has resulted in 119 deaths, including 115 suspected gang members and four police officers, according to state authorities. The operation, involving approximately 2,500 police and soldiers, aimed to capture leaders and limit the territorial expansion of the Red Command criminal gang.

During the raid, security forces utilized helicopters, armored vehicles, and drones, encountering heavy gunfire from gang members. Authorities reported the seizure of 93 rifles and over half a ton of drugs.

Rio de Janeiro Governor Claudio Castro described the city as being "at war" against "narco-terrorism" and called for increased federal support to combat crime.

The operation has drawn criticism from residents and human rights organizations. Local activist Raull Santiago stated, "We saw executed people: shot in the back, shots to the head, stab wounds, people tied up. This level of brutality, the hatred spread - there's no other way to describe it except as a massacre."

The United Nations Human Rights Office expressed concern over the high number of reported fatalities and called for investigations.

The federal government indicated it had not been informed in advance about the large-scale operation. Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski described the action as "quite brutal" due to the number of deaths, including civilians, and sent a delegation of ministers to meet with the governor and gather details.

Criminal gangs have expanded their presence across Brazil in recent years, including in the Amazon rainforest. Filipe dos Anjos, secretary general of favela rights' organization FAFERJ, commented that these kinds of police operations don't solve the problem as those who were killed are easily replaceable.