Rio de Janeiro Police Operation Kills 132 in Deadliest Crackdown

A police operation in Rio de Janeiro targeting the Comando Vermelho drug trafficking group resulted in the deadliest police raid in the city's history, with at least 132 people killed, including four police officers. Governor Claudio Castro deployed 2,500 agents, armored vehicles, and helicopters to conduct the operation in the Penha and Alemão favelas, aiming to stop the expansion of the criminal organization. The operation faced significant violence, with drug cartels reportedly retaliating by bombing police with drones. Families of victims and human rights organizations condemned the raid as a massacre, demanding international investigations. The casualties include both civilians and police officers, some of whom left behind families, underscoring the human toll of the conflict. Despite the high death toll, Governor Castro described the operation as "historic" and emphasized the intent to dismantle the criminal network.