At least 64 people died Tuesday in Rio de Janeiro during the most deadly police operation ever recorded in the city. The confirmed deaths included four police officers.
Rio Governor Claudio Castro said the raid targeted a major criminal gang. He wrote on social media that authorities “stand firm confronting narcoterrorism.” He said 2,500 security personnel took part in the action across the Alemao and Penha favela complexes near the city’s international airport.
The Rio state government said the operation was the largest ever against the Comando Vermelho gang. Officials said the number of fatalities was more than twice that of Rio’s previous most deadly police operation.
Favela neighborhoods cut off by gunfire and smoke
Rio’s favelas are poor, tightly packed neighborhoods built into steep coastal hillsides. Smoke rose early Tuesday over the skyline as gangs burned cars to slow the advance of armored vehicles. Gunfire echoed across several neighborhoods throughout the morning.
O Estado débil tenta reagir, mas o remédio institucional já não é suficiente para tirar um dos estados mais bonitos do país do coma.
A operação desta terça (28) empregou cerca de 2500 policiais, o que resultou até agora em 64 mortes (civis, policiais e traficantes) e 81 presos. pic.twitter.com/7JZROnOIjJ
— MALECENCIA (@malecencia) October 28, 2025
Police released videos showing suspects using drones armed with grenades against officers. Another clip showed armed men fleeing into a forested area close to the raid site.
After the most intense clashes eased, police from a special operations unit rounded up dozens of shirtless men. Outside a nearby public hospital, sobbing relatives waited for word on loved ones wounded in the fighting.
The federal government was not consulted beforehand
Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski said the federal government had not received any request for support before the “bloody” operation. He said he had been following the raid through media reports rather than official communication.
The clashes disrupted daily routines for many residents. Dozens of schools and medical facilities halted services. Bus routes were changed, and traffic slowed across large sections of the city.
Al menos 64 personas murieron y 81 fueron detenidas este martes durante un operativo de la Policía Civil y Militar de Río de Janeiro contra el grupo Comando Vermelho (CV, Comando Rojo) en los complejos Alemão y Penha de la ciudad brasileña.
4 policías fallecieron.. pic.twitter.com/pXaG3ZMlgp— El Hocicon Qlo Anticomunista del 56% (@LarryLu20942400) October 28, 2025
Castro said police were carrying out 250 arrest and search warrants targeting alleged drug kingpins and money-laundering networks. He confirmed that 81 people were arrested.
Some organizations criticized the tactics used. Carolina Ricardo, executive director at the security think tank Sou da Paz, called the outcome a tragedy. “This is a completely failed approach, because it does not actually target the links in the drug production chain,” she said.
Raid comes days before major climate gatherings
The violence struck as Rio prepares for global events focused on climate action. Next week, the city will host the C40 global summit of mayors tackling climate change and Prince William’s Earthshot Prize ceremony. Celebrities, including pop star Kylie Minogue and four-time Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel, are scheduled to attend.
These gatherings lead into COP30, the United Nations climate summit in Belem, in the Amazon region, from November 10 to November 21.
Police operations ahead of major international events have become common in Rio. Large raids also took place before the 2016 Olympics, the 2024 G20 summit, and the BRICS summit in July. Officials have not confirmed whether Tuesday’s deadly action was tied to the upcoming events.
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