(DDM) – At least 64 people have been confirmed dead following a large-scale police operation targeting organized crime groups in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, according to local security officials who spoke with CNN Brasil.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the deadly raid, described as one of the most violent in recent years, was carried out in several favelas across the city as authorities moved to dismantle powerful criminal networks responsible for drug trafficking, extortion, and gang-related killings.
Officials confirmed that among the fatalities were four police officers who lost their lives during intense gunfire exchanges with armed suspects. The raid reportedly began in the early hours of the morning and involved hundreds of security personnel, including members of Rio’s elite police units and federal agents.
Local media reports monitored by DDM indicate that the operation was part of an ongoing federal initiative to curb rising crime and reclaim areas under gang control. The favelas targeted have long been strongholds for heavily armed drug syndicates, making law enforcement incursions both dangerous and politically sensitive.
Witnesses told CNN Brasil that continuous gunfire echoed through the communities for hours, forcing residents to flee or seek shelter in their homes. “It was like a war zone,” one resident said, describing helicopters hovering overhead and armored vehicles stationed at key entry points.
Authorities say several high-ranking gang leaders were either killed or arrested, while a large cache of weapons, including assault rifles, grenades, and ammunition, was recovered from the operation.
DDM reports that human rights organizations have raised concerns over the scale of the violence and the growing number of civilian casualties in such raids. Critics argue that Brazil’s militarized approach to combating organized crime often results in indiscriminate killings, while supporters of the crackdown insist it is necessary to restore order in Rio’s most volatile neighborhoods.
Rio’s state security secretary defended the operation, stating that “criminal groups must not be allowed to continue terrorizing communities,” adding that the police acted within the law and in defense of public safety.
As investigations continue, the Brazilian Ministry of Justice has promised a full review of the raid to determine whether any protocols were violated and to assess the impact on civilian populations.
The latest incident underscores the deepening crisis in Rio de Janeiro, where gang violence, corruption, and drug wars have long undermined public trust in law enforcement and government institutions.