Photo credit: The Guardian
At least 64 people were killed in Rio de Janeiro after police officers launched a massive raid on drug traffickers.
The Daily Mail reports that heavily armed officers backed with 32 ballistic-resistant vehicles, two helicopters, 12 demolition vehicles and drones descended on two favela neighbourhoods in the northern region of the city on Tuesday afternoon.
Gunfire rang out miles near RIOgaleao International Airport. Smoke started blowing from the raging fires, which broke out several hours after the busts began. Residents scrambled for cover, and shops closed their doors amid police claims that the gangs were retaliating with drones of their own.
The central government said the blitz was launched to halt the narcotics network of a gang called Comando Vermelho from expanding its operations.
State Governor Claudio Castro described the operation as the largest in the state’s history. He reported a death toll of 60 suspected gang members, and a source within the administration said at least four police officers were killed during the raids.
While sharing a video of a suspected gang-controlled drone launching a projectile from the foggy skies, Castro said: “This is how the Rio police are treated by criminals with bombs dropped by drones.
This is the scale of the challenge we face. This is not ordinary crime, but narcoterrorism.”
Dramatic images from the raids show alleged criminals being led away by police, who have made 61 arrests.
A resident said, “This is the first time we’ve seen drones (from criminals) dropping bombs in the community. Everyone is terrified because there’s so much gunfire.”
The UN human rights office said, “This deadly operation furthers the trend of extreme lethal consequences of police operations in Brazil’s marginalized communities.
“We remind authorities oof their obligations under international human rights law, and urge prompt and effective investigations.”
