Rio de Janeiro Police Operation: Effectiveness in Dismantling Gang Questioned

A large-scale police operation conducted on October 28 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, resulted in 121 fatalities, including four police officers. While state officials initially described the operation as a success, subsequent details and analyses have raised questions about its effectiveness in weakening the Comando Vermelho (Red Command) criminal organization.

Operation Details and Immediate Aftermath

The operation involved 2,500 officers deployed across the Alemão and Penha neighborhoods, targeting the Comando Vermelho gang. Rio de Janeiro Governor Claudio Castro characterized the operation as