Deadliest Police Raid in Rio de Janeiro: 64 Dead in "Operation Containment"

On October 28, 2025, Brazilian security forces launched "Operation Containment," a large-scale police raid targeting the Comando Vermelho (Red Command) criminal organization in Rio de Janeiro's Alemão and Penha favelas. The operation involved approximately 2,500 police officers and resulted in at least 64 deaths, including four police officers. Authorities reported the seizure of 93 rifles and over half a ton of drugs. The raid led to significant disruptions, including school closures and violent responses from gang members, who used explosives and firearms against law enforcement. Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and the United Nations, condemned the excessive use of force and called for thorough investigations into the deaths.

The Comando Vermelho, established in 1979 within the Cândido Mendes Penal Institute on Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro, originated as an alliance between common criminals and leftist guerrillas imprisoned together during Brazil's military dictatorship. Initially formed for mutual protection, the group evolved into a major criminal organization involved in drug and arms trafficking, extortion, and other illicit activities. The gang is known for its willingness to engage in armed confrontations with state forces and has a significant presence in Rio de Janeiro and other regions, including the Amazon.

The operation commenced in the early hours of October 28, with a coordinated effort by the Military Police, Civil Police, and specialized units such as BOPE (Special Police Operations Battalion) and CORE (Coordenadoria de Recursos Especiais). The primary objective was to dismantle the operational capacity of the Comando Vermelho in the targeted favelas. The operation resulted in at least 64 fatalities, comprising 60 civilians and four police officers. Additionally, 11 civilians and eight police officers sustained injuries. Authorities confiscated 93 rifles and over half a ton of drugs during the operation.

In retaliation, gang members blocked several roads, including Avenida Brasil and the Yellow and Red Lines, using 71 stolen buses, which forced people to walk home. Healthcare, education, and transportation were disrupted. Neighboring municipalities São Gonçalo and Niterói were also affected by the blockades. The city's Education Department closed 46 schools across the Penha and Alemão neighborhoods, and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro canceled night classes, advising people on campus to seek shelter.

Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and the United Nations, condemned the excessive use of force and called for thorough investigations into the deaths. Amnesty International described the operation as a massacre and urged a prompt, independent, impartial, and internationally supervised investigation into the deadliest police operation in the state's history.

Governor Claudio Castro, echoing former President Jair Bolsonaro's hardline policies, defended the raid as part of his crackdown on drug trafficking. However, critics warn that such aggressive tactics exacerbate violence and insecurity, calling for accountability and reform in law enforcement.

This operation occurred just days before Brazil is set to host the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém from November 10 to 21, 2025. The timing of the raid has raised concerns about Brazil's internal security and its preparedness to host such a significant international event.

Operation Containment is considered the deadliest police operation in Rio de Janeiro's history, surpassing the 2021 Jacarezinho raid, which resulted in 27 civilian deaths. The escalation of police violence in Rio de Janeiro and its impact on communities, the balance between law enforcement and human rights in Brazil's fight against organized crime, and the implications of domestic security measures on Brazil's international standing, especially in light of upcoming events like COP30, are themes that warrant further exploration.

The events surrounding Operation Containment underscore the complex challenges Brazil faces in addressing organized crime while upholding human rights and maintaining public safety. As the nation prepares to host COP30, the international community will be closely monitoring Brazil's approach to internal security and its commitment to human rights.