Rio State Announces ‘Barricada Zero’ to Remove Gang Barricades in 12 Metro Cities

Overview

• State intelligence mapped 13,604 blockade points ranging from debris piles to engineered concrete and metal structures.
• Phase one targets 12 metropolitan municipalities identified as priorities for clearance operations.
• The state will deploy 50 demolition kits and fund police incursions while municipalities handle local services and debris removal, though attendance by metro mayors at the rollout was uneven.
• Officials say the operation forms part of a broader retaking plan the government intends to submit to the Supreme Federal Court under ADPF 635 by December 20.
• Authorities warned that any rebuilt barriers will prompt interventions by elite units BOPE and CORE, with continuous monitoring after clearance.