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| Drone image shows bodies being taken to the square in Complexo da Penha, in the northern part of Rio de Janeiro, on October 29, 2025 — Photo: Ricardo Moraes/Reuters |
On October 28 2025, a massive police operation in Rio de Janeiro turned deadly. At least 64 people were killed in the city’s largest-ever anti-gang raid. The operation targeted the notorious gang Comando Vermelho (“Red Command”) in the favela complexes of Complexo do Alemão and Complexo da Penha.
What happened
Police and special forces—about 2,500 officers—launched the raid early on Tuesday. The goal was to arrest top gang leaders, seize weapons, and stop the gang’s control of key neighbourhoods.
Gunfights erupted when gang members reportedly attacked police with firearms and drones carrying explosives. Smoke and fires filled the streets as armoured vehicles, helicopters and drones were used by the state forces.
Among the dead were four police officers and around 60 alleged gang members. Authorities also arrested more than 80 suspects and seized many automatic weapons.
Who is the gang and the setting
The raid focused on the Red Command, a gang that has grown strong in Rio’s favelas. The gang engages in drug-trafficking, arms deals, and controls territory in poor and crowded neighbourhoods.
Complexo do Alemão and Complexo da Penha are large, dense favela networks on the north side of Rio, where state control has been weak and gangs have gained influence.
Why this raid and its timing
Officials say the operation was necessary to stop the territorial advance of the gang and to disrupt their financial and criminal networks.
The timing also matters. The raid came just days before Rio was to host major international events ahead of the COP30 climate summit. Security concerns were high.
Impact on residents and public services
Residents of the favela complexes reported hearing sustained gunfire. Roads were blocked, buses commandeered, schools and universities shut down for safety. Some bystanders were wounded by stray bullets.
Human rights groups say the high death toll and destruction raise serious concerns. They argue the approach may harm innocent people in poor communities.
Reactions and criticism
The state governor declared the operation a fight against “narcoterrorism”. Meanwhile, critics say the operation focuses on muscle and show of force rather than long-term crime solutions. A security expert said:
“This is a completely failed approach, because it does not actually target the links in the drug production chain.”
The Human Rights Watch called the event “a huge tragedy” and demanded investigations into every death.
Why this matters
This clash marks a turning point in Rio’s fight against organised crime. The sheer scale of the raid and the death toll go beyond previous operations. For instance, in May 2021 a raid in the favela Jacarezinho killed 28 people.
The event highlights persistent challenges: how to maintain public safety, protect the rights of residents of poor neighbourhoods, and dismantle powerful gangs without causing massive collateral harm.
What next
Experts say a full investigation is needed—into each death, into civilian harm, into police procedures. New chances to change course may involve stronger social policies, community policing, and efforts to reduce the power of gangs in long term.
The Brazilian federal government and Rio state authorities will face questions about coordination, strategy, and respect for human rights.
On October 28 2025, Rio’s largest-ever anti-gang police operation resulted in at least 64 dead, including police officers, in a sweeping raid against the Red Command gang in complex favela networks. It shows the severity of the crime challenge in Brazil’s cities. At the same time, it raises serious questions about strategy, human rights and the future of public safety. The stakes are high—not only for Rio’s residents, but for how large cities worldwide handle entrenched criminal power in underserved areas.
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