Public Backs Rio’s Deadliest Police Operation as Castro’s Approval Surges

Overview

• Statewide polling shows 64% approval for the Penha and Alemão action and 73% favor similar future operations, while Datafolha reports 40% rating Castro’s government as good or excellent in the metro area.
• Genial/Quaest finds Castro’s overall job approval up 10 points to 53% since August, with strong backing among right-leaning voters and far lower support among Lula supporters.
• Despite support for the crackdown, 52% of residents say they feel less safe afterward and 74% fear retaliation by traffickers, with 87% describing the state as living a situation of war.
• Official figures cite 121 dead including four police officers, 113 arrests, and 118 seized firearms (19 rifles and 26 pistols), with authorities saying many of the dead had criminal records and dozens held open warrants.
• The operation reshaped the security debate as Castro launched a Consórcio da Paz with allied governors, the federal government advanced an antifacção bill and a public security PEC, and 59% of respondents say they support a possible GLO use.