In a brutal police operation in Rio de Janeiro, over 130 people were killed, marking Brazil’s deadliest police incident. The raid, targeting drug gangs in the favelas Alemão and Peña, was conducted by 2,500 troops, resulting in a staggering death toll that surpassed the infamous Carandiru prison massacre of 1992. Eyewitnesses described horrific scenes, with bodies, many of them young men, strewn across the streets, some wrapped in tarpaulins.
Community leaders and family members expressed profound grief and anger, claiming many victims were executed rather than apprehended. Activists condemned the operation as a massacre, arguing there should be no death penalty in Brazil. The operation drew criticism from human rights advocates and international observers, who labeled it a “historic humiliation” for Brazil.
Despite the outrage, Rio’s governor defended the action, framing it as a significant blow against drug traffickers. The situation has led to calls for police reform and accountability, with community leaders alarmed by the rising violence reminiscent of a war zone.
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