Overview
- Roughly 2,500 security personnel stormed the Alemão and Penha complexes in a sweep targeting the Comando Vermelho syndicate.
- Authorities deployed helicopters, dozens of armored vehicles and demolition trucks, while officials shared footage alleging gang‑operated drones dropped explosives.
- Death counts diverged widely, with state figures initially near 60 including four police, federal police cited 119, and the state ombudsperson reported at least 132.
- Officials reported 81 arrests alongside the seizure of more than 90 rifles and over 200 kilograms of drugs, and said detained gang leaders were moved to high security.
- City life was heavily disrupted with closures and more than 100 bus routes affected, as rights groups and the UN demanded an impartial investigation and Rio’s governor defended the operation as a success.